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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
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D 


D 


D 


n 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

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0 


n 


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Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

J 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


laire 
s  details 
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It  modifier 
:iger  une 
e  filmage 


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conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


J/ 
u6es 


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empreinte. 


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shall  contain  the  symbol  —»- (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


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dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
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symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


aire 


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different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
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beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  etre 
rbproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  film6  A  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m^thode. 


by  errata 
ned  to 

lent 

une  pelure, 

fagon  d 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

V 


M 


i    i 


y. 


3 


UNI 


HISTORY 


OF 


^leH  ILii^Ig  W^IE, 


BETWEEN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  AND  GREAT  BRITAIN. 


CONTAINING 


A  MINUTE  ACCOUNT  OF 


THE  VARIOUS 


^itttarg  anD  JSabaf  Operationief* 


i  i 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  PLATLS: 


BY  H.  M.  BflACKENRIDGE,  ESQ. 


t 
i 


Fourth  Edition, 

BETJSED   AND  COURECTED. 


■'   m 


BALTIMORE; 

PUBLISHED  AND  SOLD  BY  GUSHING  &  JEWETT, 
NO.  6,  N.  HOWARD  STREET, 

JOHN  D.  TOT,  PRINTER. 
1818. 


I        M 


li 


s 


r 


,^^^«,~— -.jC- 


»» *yy 


— "■     'T    I  ■■  »■«"  


^-VvMi,  '4n 


A 


DiSTnitT  OF  MAIIYLAjNU,  6..-. 

RE  IT  REMEMBERED,  Thaton  this  tweiuieth  dayof  Jantiuiy, 
^4F«r««««»  in  the  forty -first  year  of  the  nidepondeiicc  ot  tlie   United 


*  Slates  of  America,  Joseph  Gushing,  of  the  said  district,  hath 

*  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  boftk,  the  right  whereof 


********  he  claims  as  proprietor;  in  the  words  following,  to  «^it; 

*'History  of  the  Late  War,  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain.— -C/Ontaining  a  minute  account  of  tlie  various  Military  and  Na- 
■valOperations.— Illustrated  with  plates. — By  H.  M.Braokeni'idge,  esq." 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled, 
"An  act  for  the  encouragement  ot  leai'ning  by  securing  the  copies  of 
maj)s,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  ancT  i)roprietors  of  such  copies 
dui  ing  the  times  therein  mentioned."  And  also  to  the  act  entitled,  "An 
act  siipplementai'y  to  an  act,  entitled,  'An  act  for  the  encoui-agenient  of 
leai'uing,  by  s(>curing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  au- 
tliovs  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mention- 
ed,' and  fxten(iing  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  en- 
gruving,  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 

PHILIP  MOORE,  * 

Ch)^  of  the  (lisinct  of  jyiarijland. 


tmm 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Declar«tlon  of  war — General  Hull  reaches  Detroit — Crosses  'nito  'Janu- 
da — Skirmishes  on  the  river  Aux  Canards — Hattle  of  Brownst'jvu— 
Takinc  of  Michilimackinack— Taking  of  Chicago — Batlle  of  Vlaga- 
giia— 'Tlie  aurreuder  of  Hull.  Page  '2."> 


CHAPTER  n. 


Naval  events— Cniise  of  commodore  Rodgers— The  President  chases 
the  Belvidera — The  Constitution  captures  the  Gucrrierc— Captain 
Porter  captures  the  Alert-— Cruise  of  the  President— -United  States 
captures  the  Macedonian — The  Wasp  captures  the  Froliek— Priva- 
teers— Sensations  excited  in  England.  Page  4  ' 

CHAPTER  m. 

General  Harrison  tjikes  command  of  tlie  northwestern  army — Expedi- 
tion under  general  Winchesteif — General  Hopkins — ^Defei  ce  of  fort 
Harrison — Colonel  Campbell's  expedition.  Page  56 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Troops  on  the  Canada  frontier — Capture  of  the  Caledonia— Battle  of 
Queenstown,  and  death  of  general  Hixx-k — -Bombardment  of  Nipga- 
ra — Abortive  attem[)t  of  General  Smyth — Northern  ai'my— -First 
cruise  of  conimodore  Chauncey.  Page  69 

CHAPTER  V. 

0 

Meeting  of  congress — Proposal  for  an  ariyiistice — Reverses  of  Napo- 
leon—Measures for  carrying  on  the  war — Blockade  of  our  coast — 
The  southern  Indians — Tecumsch's  visit  to  the  Creeks— War  with 
the  Seminole^— Third  naval  victory  over  a  British  frigate— Disasters 
of  oui'  arms  to  the  west.  Page  Si 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Harrison  returns  to  Ohio — General  Winchester  sends  a  detachment  to 
protect  Frenchtowu— Colonel  Lewis  defeats  the  British  and  Indiana— 


»v 


CONTENTS. 


1 


•r 


ii 


Winchester  arrives  with  reinforcements— l^attl*  of  the  rirtn-  Kaisiu— 
Shocking  conduct  of  tlic  British  and  their  allici* — Harrison's  return — 
Siege  of  fort  Meiga— Defeat  of  Dudley — The  seige  raised—Exploit 
©f  major  Ball.  Page  9o 


CHAPTER  VIT. 


British  preparations  in  Canada — Ir.cursion  of  Forsythe*— Attack  on  Og- 
denshurgh — ^I'he  taking  of  York,  and  death  of  Pike— Taking  of  fort 
George— Battle  of  Stoney  Creek,  and  capture  of  generals  Cliandler 
and  Winder—- "Cjeneral  Brown  defen<l8  Sackett's  Harhoui^— Uesigna- 
lion  of  general  Dearborn— The  town  of  Sodus  attacked— -Battle  of 
Beaver  l)ams' — Second  takijig  of  York' — 'British  devasJate  the  bor- 
ders pf  lake  Champlain— "Cruise  of  commodore  Chauncey.    Page  113 

CHAPITER  vnr. 

VVar  on  the  coast — Paper  blockades- — Exploits  of  Coekbum — Plundei*- 
ingf  and  burning  of  Havre-de-Grace— Buriiing  of  Georgetown  and 
Fredericktown— Arrival  of  admiral  ^Var^en  and  sir  Sidney  Beck- 
wilh— Southern  cities  threatened — Attack  on  Craney  island— Enor- 
mities at  Hampton — Cockburn  plunders  the  coast  of  North  Carolina—* 
Blockade  of  the  American  squadix)n  at  New-London,  by  commodore 
Hardy — The  torpedo  system.  Page  144 

CHAPTER  IX 

Xaval  affairs — The  Hornet  captures  the  Peacock— The  Shannon  cap- 
tures the  Chesapeake — The  Pelican  ca^»tures  the  Argus — The  En- 
terprize  captures  the  Boxer — Cruise  of  comn\odoi'e  Poller  in  the 
South  Seas— Cruise  of  commodore  Rodgers— C)f  captain  Stewart — ■ 
The  privateer  General  Armsti-ong»— '1  ha  Decatur  captures  the 
Dominica.  Page  160 

CHAPTER  X. 

Affairs  of  the  west— Patriotick  conduct  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky— De- 
fence of  Sandusky — Generosity  of  the  Americans— Naval  prepara- 
tions on  lake  Erie — Commodore  Periy  sails  with  his  fleet— Capture 
of  the  enemy's  squadron— Battle  of  the  Thames,  and  death  of  Te- 
curaseh«— Correspondence  between  general  Harrison  and  general 
V^inceut.  Page  ilj 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Pi-eparations  for  invading  Canada— General  Wilkinson  takes  com- 
mand—Rendezvous Oi  the  American  forces— General  Wilkinson 
descetids  the  St.  Lawrence— Battle  of  Chiystler's  field— Hampton's 
inability  to  co-opeimte— Failure  of  the  expedition — Cruise  of  commo- 
dore Chauncey— The  burning  of  Newark—- British  retaliation. 

Page  189 


CONTENTS. 


CHArTKIl  XII. 

^footins^  of  conpfress,  and  violence  of  party  spirit — >f<»asnr«9  for  cany- 
iii;;  Oil  the  war — UiitViendly  deportment  of  tlu.'  Xow-l'iiij^lund  ^Uilcs — 
The  sulycct  of  retaliation — .\  committee  of  congress  in(|nires  into 
the  inannor  in  which  the  war  has  beea  carried  on  by  tlie  (.nemy — 
The  war  gaining  ;;round  in  the  United  States,  l*age  ^06 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  southern  wnr — Massacre  of  fort  Minis — Expedition  of  p^jneral 
•Fackwin,  and  general  Cock?" — Battle  <.f  Tallodega — Iu(  !ans  surprised 
by  general  Cocke — Expedition  of  general  Floyd — Critical  situation 
of  general  Jackson — Defeat  of  tlie  IiidianH — The  Creeks  totally  de- 
feated at  the  Horse-shoe-bend — General  Jackson  terminates  the 
Creek  war,  and  dictates  a  peace.  Page  ^15 

CIIAP'I'ER  XIV. 

flencral  Wj'kinson  retires  to  Plattsburg — General  Brown  maixhcs  to 
the  Niagara  frontier-^Afiair  of  La  Colle — Exertions  of  cointaoilore 
M'  Donongh  to  create  a  naval  force — Contest  for  superiority  on  lake 
Ontario — Attack  of  Oswego — Death  of  colonel  Forsythe — Colonel 
Caniphell's  expedition — Gallant  defence  of  capUiin  Holmes — Senons 
crisis  in  the  state  of  onr  atfairs — Coiuniodore  Hardy  invades  tlie 
northern  scu-coast —  Takes  possession  of  Eastport  and  Custine — Gal  - 


v"m 


lant  defence  of  Stonington. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


Xaval  incidents— the  Plantagenet  seventy-four  declines  a  contest  ^vith 
commodore  Rodgers — Captain  Stewart  chases  a  British  frigate  of  ei(Ual 
force— 'Cruise  of  commodore  Porter — Typee  wai* — The  Essex  cap- 
tured h^'  the  Phoebe  and  Cherub — The  Peacock  captures  the  Epervier 
—  The V^asp  captures  th.  Reindeer — TheWasp  si-iksthe  Avon — Loss 
of  the  Wasp— Frigate  President  ca^)tured  by  a  squadron — Constitu- 
tion engages  and  captures  two  British  sloops,  the  Cayenne  and  Le- 
vant—1  he  Hornet  captures  the  Penguin.  Pase  243 


captures  tue  rengum. 
CHAPTER  XVL 


Movements  of  tlie  army  on  the  Niagara  frontiei* — Capture  of  fort  Erie 
— Battle  of  Chippewa — Death  of  general  Sv/ift— 'BiiLile  of  I^iagara— . 
Siege  of  fort  Erie^Assault  upon  fort  Erie — Sortie  upon  the  British 
woiis — Affairs  of  the  west — Expedition  against  Michilim-'ckiaack. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


i'age  iGl 


War  on  the  sea-coast — ^Engagements  between  the  enemy  and  Bar- 
ney's flotilla  in  the  Chesapeake — T'lmiiierings  of  the  British — 
>Vashington  and  Baltimore  threatened— -General  Whulor  appointc»J 

1* 


\1 


CONTENTS. 


to  command  the  tonlVi  district — Serious  apprehensions  from  the  Bri- 
tish— Difficulties  in  collecting  an  efficient  foire  tor  dei'ence — Cup- 
rage  i288 


tare  of  Washington— The  plunder  of  Alexandria. 


CHAPTER  XVIU. 

ScnsatioTis  produced  by  the  capture  of  Washington,  in  Kurope,  and  in 
England — Effect  of  this  event  in  the  United  States^— Clorious defence 
of  Baltimore*— The  retreat  of  the  British — (Japture  of  the  British 
!jc|uadix>n  on  lake  Chamnlain>— Repulse  of  sir  (ii.'orge  Pnivost — The 
British  fleet  leaves  the  Cnesapeake,  and  a  part  sails  tu  Uie  south. 

Page  309 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Unanimity  of  sentiment  in  con^'css — British  sine  qua  non — Affairs  to 
the  southward — Ci-cek  hostilities — Invasion  of  Louisiana — Affairs  of 
the  gunboats — British  foi-ces  landed  in  Louisiana — Battle  of  th*^ 
twentv-third  of  December — Battle  of  the  eighth  of  January — The 
Hritislj  compelled  to  retreat— Bombardment  of  fort  St.  Philijj — 
Peace  with  Great  Britain.  Page  3'iB 


,  •«■  jtmtMlMMK-  tuMtSl. 


;^ 


Mx. 


INTRODUCTIOX. 


One  amongst  the  numerous  artifices,  which  ihe  selfisli- 
ness  of  European  nations  has  put  in  practice,  the  better 
to  retain  the  American  colonies  in  a  slavish  subjection, 
or  what  amounts  to  the  s?!ne  thing,  in  a  state  of  perpe- 
tual non-age,  has  been  to  claim  over  them  a  maternal  au- 
thority or  prerogative.  If  this  fiction  imposed  upon 
them  the  obligation  of  treating  the  colonies  with  tender- 
ness and  affection,  the  colonies  might  regard  it  as  inno- 
cent, if  not  salutary;  but  it  is  used  to  cover  the  cruel 
iniquity  of  fastening  on  their  necks  the  yoke  of  conquest. 
The  self-styled  mother,  without  a  spark  of  that  afiection 
which  exists,  as  a  law  of  nature,  in  the  Greast  of  every 
creature,  would  inculcate,  that,  on  our  part,  to  refuse  the 
most  implicit  and  slavish  obedience,  to  whatever  dispo- 
sitions sne  may  choose  to  make  of  our  persons  or  estates, 
to  her  sole  and  exclusive  benefit,  is  no  less  than  filial  im- 
piety. That  the  opposition  of  the  colonies  to  the  most 
glanng  abuse  of  power,  was  in  them  the  conduct  of  wick- 
ed and  unnatural  children;  that  remonstrance  was  inso- 
lence, and  resistance  atrocity.  From  no  better  source 
than  this  idle  fiction,  proceed  the  invectives  lavished  on 
the  colonies,  for  manfully  resenting  the  indignities  that 
have  been  offered  them. 

It  is  time  that  this  shallow  artifice  should  be  exposed. 
It  has  encouraged  the  nations  of  Europe  to  make  their 
unwarranted  demands  upon  us,  and  it  has  too  often  with- 
held our  arm  from  opposing  them,  in  the  manner  that  we 
ought.    As  a  poetick  fiction,  it  might  serve  to  amuse  the 


■n 


>i 


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s  .  /; 


t'^     m 


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rs 


viii 


INTRODUCTION. 


fancy.  It  was  first  invented  by  the  colonist  himself,  to 
express  his  aftection  for  the  s<»il  of  his  nativity,  or  the 
birth  place  of  his  ancestors;  for  who  is  there  that  ceases 
to  love  the  spot  from  which  he  is  an  exile?  He  little 
thou{];lit  that  he  was  contriving  a  fiction,  which  would 
enable  the  inhabitants  of  that  paternal  soil,  his  kinsmen, 
to  claim  the  privilej^es  of  masters;  they  could  feel  no  af- 
fection for  his  exile,  or  the  land  which  received  him.  So 
stronjj;ly  lias  this  fiction  fastened  itself  upon  all  our 
thoujijhts,  that  it  has  become  necessary  to  make  an  ettbrt 
to  shake  it  olf,  and  return  to  simple  truth.  Are  the  pre- 
sent inhabitants  of  the  British  isles,  the  fathers,  or  mo- 
thers of  the  Americans.?  Are  tiiey  brothers,  or  cousins, 
or  tenth  cousins?  No:  we  sprang  from  the  same  stock, 
have  a  common  ancesay,  and  that  is  all.  We  have  as 
much  right  to  claim  a  parental  prerogative  over  English- 
men, as  they  have  to  claim  it  over  us. 

These  states,  once  British  colonies,  were  for  the  most 
part,  established  by  persons  who  fled  fiom  persecution, 
and  at  the  private  expense  of  the  colonists.    They  were 
suffered  to  struggle  with  the  difliculties  incident  to  their 
new  situation,  and  after  they  had  thus  grown  up  in  neg- 
lect, and  become  possessed  of  what  might  tempt  the  cu- 
pidity of  the  European  mother,  she  assumed  the  arbitra- 
ry power  of  "binding  them  in  all  cases  wliatsoever,"  in 
other  words,  she  declared  them  in  a  state  of  vassalage. 
In  leaving  the  land  of  our  forefathers,  already  crowded 
with  population,  our  condition  was  injproved,  at  the  same 
time  that  a  corresponding  benefit  accrued  to  the  mother 
country,  in  the  creation  of  new  marts  for  her  trade.     We 
carried  with  us  the  language,  the  laws,  the  literature,  the 
"free  born  thoughts,"  of  our  ancestors,  to  which  we  were 
as  much  entitlecl,  as  the  islanders,  whom  we  left  in  pos- 
session of  the  natale  solum.     We  left  behind,  indeed,  ma- 
ny customs  and  institutions,  not  suited  to  our  new  situa- 
tion, or   which  we  considered  as   useless.      Admitting 
that  the  infancy  of  the   colonies  was  motected  by  the 
European   state;    dv  "s  this   create  a  debt  of  gratitude 
never  to  be  repaid?     Does  it  authorise  the  treating  of 
the   colonies  as   subjugated  countries.      The  European 
states  have  been  long  ago  repaid  a  chousand  fold,     rhe 


INTRODUCTION. 


IX 


new  world  lias  been  continually  pourinja;  forth  her  trea- 
sures, to  be  lavished  in  distant  wars,  to  be  expencled  in 
courtly  extravajiant^e,  or  to  contribute  to  the  comfort  of 
inyriails  across  the  Atlantick.  The  colonies  were  foster- 
ed from  ititerestt  never  from  affection.  The  conduct  of 
the  European  state,  far  from  beiiija;  that  of  a  mother,  has 
been  that  of  a  wicked  }j;«ardia!i,  whose  only  wish  is  to 
lengthen  the  pupilage  of  his  ward,  that  he  n>av  riot  in  his 
estate.  Away  then  with  the  trash  of  filial  obedience  hi 
the  colonies,  unnatural  children,  unnatural  wars,  or  ma- 
ternal preroi^ative. 

The  obstinate  persistance  of  Great  Britain  in  her  pre- 
tensions to  thir.  preroi^ative,  first  broke  the  ties  of  depen- 
dence, whicli  it  was  so  much  her  interest  to  preserve,  aiul 
her  subsequent  illiberal  policy,  has  tended  to  weaken  the 
intluence  of  affinity,  which  a  true  wisdom  would  have 
taught  her  to  cherish.  Why  is  it  that  the  enmity  of  those, 
between  whom  there  naturally  exist  the  most  numerous 
bonds  of  friendship,  is  the  most  bitter?  It  is  because 
each  of  these  is  a  distinct  cord,  which  may  vibrate  to  the 
feelings  of  hatred,  as  well  as  of  M)ve.  With  China,  witjh 
Tujkey,  with  France,  we  may  be  governed  by  temporary 
and  varying  policy,  but  towards  England  we  can  never 
feel  indift'erencf.  Why  then  has  England  taken  so  much 
pains,  to  make  us  hate  her  as  a  nation?  nie  grievances 
of  which  we  have  to  complain,  by  frequent  recital,  have 
grown  wearisome  to  the  ear.  There  always  existed,  and 
still  exist,  numerous  ties  to  attach  us  to  Britain,  which 
nothing  but  her  ungenerous  and  unnatural  policy,  can 
weaken  or  destioy.  Her  wisest  and  best  men  foretoUl 
to  her,  the  consequences  of  the  usurpations  which  led  to 
our  independence,  and  y^ii  she  still  continued  to  afflict 
us,  with  every  species  of  irritating  and  insulting  deport- 
ment, and  then  at  last  complained  of  our  unnatural  con- 
duct, in  refusing  to  bear  it  any  longer. 

With  the  acknowledgement  of  our  independence. 
Great  Britain  did  not  renounce  her  designs  of  subjugating 
America.  Force  had  been  found  unavading,  she  next  re- 
solved to  try  what  might  be  done  by  fraud.  For  many 
years  after  the  peace  of  1783,  our  aifairs  wore  no  promis- 
ing appearance.    The  confederation,  which  bound  the 


''    n 


fe. 


i         ^1 


»««*MM«ta 


■MM 


^      ,  INTRODUCTION. 

states  (luriiiff  their  struo:gle  against  a  common  enemv, 
was  too  feeble  to  hold  them  together  in  a  time  of  peace. 
i  he  cement  of  our  union  being  thus  taken  away,  Eno;land 
loresaw  what  we  had  to  encounter,  and  prophesying  ac- 
cording to  her  wishes,  solaced  herself  with  the  hope  of 
seeing  us  divided  and  engaged  in  civil  broils.  The  seeds 
yi  of  dissention  had  been  abundantly  sown,  our  state  of  fi- 

nance was  deplorably  defective;  *it  might  almost  be  said, 
that  the  nation  was  at  an  end,  for  so  many  jarring  inter- 
ests discovered  themselves  in  the  states,  as  al^iost  to 
preclude  the  hope  of  reducing  these  discordant  elements 
to  harmony  and  order.  A  state  of  anarchy  and  civil  war 
might  restore  us  to  Great  Britain.  Happily  for  Ameri- 
ca, she  possessed  at  this  moment,  a  galaxy  of  sages  and 
patriots,  who  held  a  powerful  influence  over  the  minds  of 
their  fellow-citizens,  hy  their  exertions,  a  spirit  of  com- 
promise and  accommodation  was  introduced,  which  ter- 
minated in  our  present  glorious  compact.  A  second 
revolution,  which  secured  to  us  the  benefits  of  the  first. 

By  ihis  event  Great  Britain  lost,  for  a  time,  the  oppor- 
tunity of  tampering  with  the  individual  states,  of  foment- 
ing jealousies,  and  of  governing  by  division.  Her  policy 
was  changed;  it  became  a  favourite  idea,  that  our  growth 
should  be  repressed,  and  so  many  impediments  tlirown  in 
our  way,  as  to  convince  us,  that  we  nad  gained  nothing 
in  becoming  free.  We  soon  experienced  the  effects  of 
hei-  disappointment.  Contrary  to  express  stipulation, 
she  refused  to  surrender  tlie  western  posts,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  secretly  instigated  the  savages  to  murder  the 
fr'mtier  settlers.  Spain  was,  at  this  very  moment,  prac- 
tising her  intrigues  to  draw  off  the  western  states  from 
the  confederacy,  of  which  there  is  little  doubt  England 
woi  id  soon  have  availed  herself. 

But  we  also  came  in  contact  with  Britain  on  the  ocean; 
our  commerce  began  to  flourish,  and  on  the  breaking  out 
of  the  French  war,  she  found  in  us  formidable  rivals.  In 
order  to  put  a  stop  to  this  competition,  slie  called  into 
life  the  odious,  and  almost  obsolete  rule  of  *j6,  which  is 
in  palpable  violation  of  the  law  of  nations.  The  spirit 
of  tills  rule  is  to  prevent  the  neutral  from  enjoying  any 
commerce,  which  would  not,  at  the  same  time,  be  open  tb 


.,.,.,«..i>'.v»tW^i.i^ilgS««S^«»^''' 


INTUODUCTION. 


XI 


the  belligerent;  in  other  words,  to  permit  no  neutral.    In 
practice,  it  was  carried  to  the  full  extent.     The  orders  in 
council  of  the  eighth  Januar-^-,  1793,  became  the  source  of 
a  thousand  vexations  to       ;ierican  commerce;  and  yet 
was  in  a  manner  tolerable,  compared  to  those  of  the  sixth 
of  November,  which  were  secretly  circulated  among  the 
jBritish  cruisers,  authorising  them  to  capture,  "all  ves- 
sels laden  with  the  produce  of  any  of  the  colonies  of 
France,  or  carrying  provisions  or  supplies  to  the  said  co- 
lonye"     The  greater  part  of  our  commerce  was  at  once 
swept  from  uie  ocean.     No  diversity  of  opinion,  among 
our  merchants,  prevailed   on  this  occasion.     They  ex- 
pressed themselves  in  the  strongest  terms,  against  this 
treacherous  and  wicked  procedure.    The  war  of  the  re- 
volution had  not  been  forgotten,  that  with  the  savages  still 
raged;  it  was  not  by  sucli  acts,  we  could  be  induced  to 
entertain  a  friendly  feeling  towards  England.    There 
prevailed  a  universal  clamour  for  war,  among  the  mer- 
chants particularly,  and  which  required  all  the  firmness 
of  Wasnington  to  withstand.    This  great  man  had  mark- 
ed out  to  himself  the  wise  policy,  of  keeping  aloof  from 
European  politicks,  and  or  avoiding  all  entanglements 
in  their  wars.     Mr.  Jay  was  despatched  a^  a  special  mes- 
seriger,  with  orders  to  remonstrate  in  a  maidy  tone.    This 
mission  terminated  in  the  celebrated  treaty  of  1794,  and 
which  was  sanctioned  by  the  nation,  although  not  without 
great  reluctance.     It  appeared  in  the  sequel,  that  we  had 
only  shoved  aside  a  war,  in  order  to  recommence  disputes 
concerning  the  same  causes. 

The  British  did  little  more  than  modify  their  orders  in 
council,  by  those  isisued  in  1795  and  '98.  In  fact,  down 
to  the  peace  of  Amiens,  the  same  vexations  and  abuses 
furnished  a  constant  theme  of  remonstrance.  Neither 
general  Washington,  nor  Mr.  Adams,  was  able  to  ar- 
range our  differences  with  England,  or  induce  her  to  con- 
sult her  own  true  interests,  by  a  just  and  liberal  policy 
towards  us.  From  this  we  maj'^  fairly  infer,  that  no  ad- 
ministration of  our  government  could  have  succeeded  in 
accommodating  our  differences  upon  just  and  equitable 
principles. 


xtl 


INTRODUCTION. 


Another  cause  of  complaint,  proceeded  paripasu  with 
the  violations  of  our  commercial  and  maritime  rights, 
and  of  a  nature  still  more  vexatious.     It  is  one  upon 
which  American  feelinff  has  always  been  much  alive. 
Great  Britain  is  the  only  modern  nation,  who  does  not 
consider  the  flag  as  protecting  every  person  who  sails 
under  it;  and  we  are  the  only  people  who  have,  during 
peace,  been  dragged  from  our  ships  on  the  high  seas,  by 
christian  nations,  and  condemned  to  servitude.     This  in- 
tolerable outrage  grew  up  from  a  small  beginning,  by  im- 
prudent acquiescence  on  our  part;  perhaps  not  conceiv- 
ing it  possible,  that  it  could  ever  assume  its  present 
hideous  front.     At  first,  it  was  a  claim  to  search  our  mer- 
chant vessels  for  deserters  from  the  publick  service  of 
Britain;  next,  it  became  a  right  to  impress  English  sea- 
men, who  had  engaged  themselves  in  American  ships; 
finally,  every  person  who  could  not  prove  on  the  spot,  to 
tJie  satisfaction  of  the  lieutenant  who  came  on  board, 
that  he  was  an  American,  was  carried  away  into  a  most 
hateful  bondage.     England  had  gone  far,  in  asserting  the 
riu;ht  to  search  a  neutral  vessel  for  enemy's  goods;  a  right 
which  can  only  be  regarded  as  an  exception  to  the  gene- 
ral rule,  that  ships  of  neutrals  on  the  high  seas  are  as  in- 
violable as  the  neutral  territory;  a  right,  which  had  been 
successively  opposed  by  all  the  maritime  states,  excepting 
the  one  which  claimed  the  sovereignty  of  the  seas;  a 
strong  proof  that  it  was  but  an  abuse  of  power.    But  this 
claim  of  searching  for  meny  is  unsupported  by  any  wri- 
ter on  the  publick  law,  or  by  one  goocl  reason.     She  had 
no  more  right  to  claim  her  subjects  from  our  ships,  than 
from  our  territory.     Whatever  right  she  might  nave,  to 
prevent  them  from  quitting  the  country,  at  times  when 
their  services  were  required,  or  of  punishing  for  doing  so, 
she  had  no  right  to  pursue  into  our  country,  or  demand 
them  from  us,  unless  warranted  by  express  treiity.     But 
what  she  had  no  right  to  demand,  she  hatl  a  right  to  take 
by  force!     When  closely  pressed,  she  deigned  at  last  to 
sive  some  reasons  in  support  of  her  practicj— she  must 
nave  men  to  man  her  thousand  ships — she  was  contend- 
ing for  her  existence — we  had   no  right  to  employ  her 
seamen — our  flag  had  no  reg<ird  to  her  interests — oui' 


INTRODUCTION. 


Xlll 


employment  of  foreign  seamen  was  not  regulated — our 
sufferings  were  the  consequences  of  our  own  impru- 
dence— These  are  the  only  arguments,  that  can  be  used 
in  support  of  such  a  practice.  If  England  says  s!ic  must 
have  men,  we  answer  that  we  must  have  men  also.  That 
we  also  are  contending  for  our  existence,  although  we  do 
not  consider  ourselves  authorized  on  that  account,  to 
rob  our  neighbours,  or  make  them  slaves.  If  she  say 
that  we  had  no  right  to  employ  her  seamen — we  can  an- 
swer, that  she  had  no  riglit  to  employ  ours.  Why,  I 
would  ask,  were  we  under  any  greater  obligations  to  con- 
sult her  interest,  than  she  considered  herself  to  consult 
ours?  The  fact  is,  that  no  nation  in  the  world  employs 
a  greater  number  of  foreign  seamen  than  Great  Britain, 
in  her  immense  commerce,  and  in  her  immense  navy; 
and  she  has  a  right  to  employ  tiiem,  not  because  she  is 
contending  for  her  existence,  or  fighting  the  battles  of  the 
world,  but  because  the  thing  is  lawful  in  itself.  So  far 
from  restricting  herself,  or  regulating  the  practice,  or 
consulting  the  interests  of  others,  she  consults  only  her 
own  interests,  and  holds  out  inticements  to  foreign  sea- 
men, which  no  other  nation  does.  Here,  then,  is  a  sim- 
ple question;  how  comes  that  to  be  unlawful  in  America, 
which  is  lawful  in  Britain?  Would  not  Great  Britain 
protect  an  American  seaman,  who  has  been  made  an  En- 
glishman by  being  two  years  in  her  service?  There  is, 
in  fact,  nothing  in  the  American  practice  to  justify  repri- 
sals. The  employment  of  English  seamen,  who  volunta- 
rily tender  then-  services,  is  lawful,  however  disagreeable 
it  may  be  to  England.  How  far  a  friendly  feeling  to- 
wards that  country  may  induce  us  to  consult  her  con- 
venience and  interests,  or  how  far  our  own  weakness  or 
interest  may  require  us  to  wave  our  rights,  is  another 
matter. 

This  is  placing  the  subject  in  the  least  reprehensible 
view,  as  respects  England.  But  when  we  come  to  ex- 
amine the  matter  in  which  this  pretended  right  was  ex* 
ercised  by  her,  it  cannot  be  doubted  for  a  moment,  that 
the  whole  was  a  mere  pretext  to  vex  our  commerce,  and 
recruit  for  her  navy  from  American  ships.  This  is  evi- 
dent, from  the  uniform  practice  of  impressing  men  of  ajl 


T"   i"'^ri»" 


XI? 


INTIIODUCTION. 


natiorivS,  fonnil  in  them,  Spaniards,  Portuguese,  Dane*, 
Uussians,  liollaiulers,  and  even  negroes.  It  was,  in  fact, 
an  insult  to  every  nation  in  the  civilized  world.  Tros 
Tf/riusque  nullo,  was  the  motto,  although  not  exacfly  in 
the  proper  sense.  The  British  practice  amounted  to 
subjecting  the  crew  of  every  American  vessel,  to  be 
drawn  up  before  a  lieutenant  of  the  navy,  that  he  might 
choose  out  such  as  suited  his  purpose.  The  good  sailor 
was  uniformly  an  Englishman,  and  the  lubber,  an  Ame- 
rican. It  has  been  said,  that  the  number  of  impressed 
Americans  has  been  exaggerated;  was  there  no  exaggera- 
tion as  to  the  number  of  Englishmen  in  American  ser- 
vice? Is  it  then  of  more  importance,  that  Great  Britain 
should  prevent  a  few  of  her  seamen  from  escaping  into  a 
foreign  service,  than  it  is  to  us,  that  free  Americans 
should  be  doomed  to  the  worst  of  slavery? 

England  has  never  known  the  full  extent  of  the  sensa- 
tions produced  n\  America,  by  the  practice  of  impress- 
ment. The  inlluence  of  party  spirit  has  contributed  to 
deceive  her.  The  great  body  of  Americans  have  always 
felt  this  outrage  to  their  persons,  with  the  keenest  indig- 
nation; no  American  administration  would  ever  express 
a  diiferent  sentiment.  Let  her  look  to  the  Roman  histo- 
rv,  to  see  what  effect  is  produced  in  a  nation  of  freemen, 
by  the  ill  usage  of  one  of  its  citizens!  She  is  not  aware, 
tlmt  an  humble  American  citizen  is  a  personage  of  more 
impoitance,  than  an  obscure  British  subject  can  be;  and 
greatly  is  she  mistaken,  if  she  supposes  that  the  outcry 
a<»^ainst  her  conduct  was  a  mere  party  trick:  it  was  deep- 
ly felt,  as  an  egregious  insult.  She  did  not  know  that 
the  American  seamen  were,  in  general,  of  a  different  class 
from  her  own;  more  decently  brouglit  up,  of  better  fa- 
milies and  morals,  and  many  of  them  looking  forward, 
after  the  expiration  of  tlieir  apprenticeships,  to  be  mates 
and  captains  of  vessels;  or  rather  she  knew  it  well,  and 
therefore  gave  them  her  baleful  preference.  But  mark 
tlie  retribution  which  follows  tlie  steps  of  injustice. 
When  any  of  these  men  were  so  fortunate  as  to  escape  from 
seven  or  ten  years  servitude,  on  board  a  British  man  of 
war,  they  breathed  nothing  but  revenge,  and  imparted 
the  same  feeling  to  all  their  countrymen.     It  was  pre- 


■iMi>Mf*a*!lali'Ae»ik>S> 


■MMJiiiUtaia 


INTRODUCTION. 


XV 


dieted,  that  these  men  who  had  wron«:.«?  of  their  oum, 
would  be  found,  in  case  of  war  with  England,  no  common 
foes.  War  came,  and  Britain  may  read  in  our  naval 
combats,  a  commentary  on  her  practice  of  impressment, 
and  her  tyranny  on  the  ocean. 

As  early  as  the  year  1793,  it  was  declared  by  the  Ame- 
rican minister  at  London,  that  the  practice  of  impress- 
ment had  produced  great  irritation  in  America,  and  that 
it  was  difficult  to  avoid  making  reprisals  on  the  British 
seamen  in  the  United  States.  It  is  perhaps  to  be  regret- 
ted, that  general  Washington's  threat  was  not  carried 
into  execution^  as  it  might  have  brought  the  affair  to  is- 
sue at  once.  The  practice  had  grown  so  vexatious  after 
the  treaty  of  1794,  that  the  British  government  was  told 
in  plain  terms,  that  unless  a  remedy  was  applied,  war 
would  be  inevitable.  It  was  said  to  be  of  such  a  nature, 
as  no  American  could  bear,  '*that  they  might  as  well  rob 
the  American  vessel's  of  their  goods,  as  to  drag  the  Ame- 
rican seamen  from  their  ships,  in  the  manner  practised 
by  them."  Certainly  the  offence  would  have  been  as 
much  less,  as  a  bale  of  goods  is  of  less  value  than  a  man. 
It  was  stated,  that  as  many  as  two  hundred  and  seventy 
Americans  were  then  actually  in  the  British  service,  the 
greater  part  of  whom  persisted  in  refusing  pay  and 
bounty.  They  were  told,  that  if  they  had  any  regard 
for  the  friendship  of  this  country,  tl^ey  would  facilitate 
the  means  of  relieving  those  of  our  oppressed  fellow-citi- 
zens. That  the  excuse  alleged  by  Great  Biitain,  in  not 
being  able  to  distinguish  between  her  subjects,  aud  the 
citizens  of  America,  was  without  foundation,  inas- 
much as  foreigners  who  could  not  be  mistaken,  were 
equally  liable  to  impressment.  The  honour  of  tlie  na- 
tion, it  was  said,  was  deeply  concerned,  and  unless  the 
practice  should  be  discontinued,  i ;  must  ultimately  lead 
to  open  rupture.  This  was  the  language  uniformly  held 
forth,  by  every  successive  administration  of  the  American 
government.  It  was  the  theme  of  reprobation  and  re- 
monstrance of  every  distinguished  statesman  of  this  cou  li- 
tre. On  this  subject,  we  find  Washington,  Adams,  Jef- 
ferson, Madison,  Monroe,  Marshall,  Jay,  Pickering,  Kin«r, 
and  many  others,  in  their  official  correspondence,  fulfv 


,\rr  ;■ -X-M 


XVl 


INTRODUCTIOX. 


and  uniformly  concurring.  In  fact,  these  complaints 
continued  untd  the  last  hour,  in  consequence  of  our  ira- 
politick  submission. 

This  shocking  outrage  was  at  length  carried  to  suc^ 
extent,  that  voyages  were  often  broken  up,  and  the  safety 
of  vessels  endangered,  by  not  leaving  a  sufficient  number 
of  mariners  on  board  to  navigate  tnem.     It  was  calcu- 

1111 

lated,  that  at  least  seven  thousand  •Americans  were  at 
one  time  in  the  British  service,  against  their  will,  ftven 
as  respects  her  own  subjects,  the  practice  of  impressment 
is  one  of  the  most  cruel  and  unjust;  in  direct  contradic- 
fion  to  the  general  freedom  of  her  constitution,  and  only 
co^  ercd  by  the  most  miserable  sophistry;  but  to  America, 
wlio  would  not  endure  a  single  one  of  her  citizens  to  be 
impressed  into  her  own  service,  it  is  not  surprising  that 
it  should  appear  detestable.  The  tribute  of  Minos,  or  of 
Montezuma,  of  the  youth  doomed  as  a  sacrifice  to  infer- 
nal idols,  was  not  more  hateful.  The  American  was  com- 
pelled to  stoop  to  the  humiliation  of  carrying  about  him, 
on  the  high  seas,  the  certificate  of  his  nativit^^;  and  this 
was  soon  found  unavailing,  it  was  torn  to  pieces  by  the 
tyrant,  and  its  fragments  scattered  to  the  winds.  Great 
liritain  boldly  asserted  the  right  of  dragging  from  under- 
neath our  flag,  every  one  who  could  not  prove  on  the  spot, 
that  he  was  not  a  British  subject.  Every  foreigner,  no 
matter  of  what  country,  was,  in  consequence,  excluded 
from  our  merchant  service.  On  the  part  of  the  United 
States,  every  possible  effort  was  made  to  compromise  the 
matter,  but  in  vain.  No  offer  was  ever  made  by  Great 
Eritaiii,  which  presented  any  prospect  of  putting  an  end 
to  these  abuses,  while  the  most  fair  and  rational  on  our 
part,  were  rejected.  About  the  year  1800,  a  proposal 
was  made  for  the  mutual  exchange  of  deserters,  but  this 
was  rejected  by  Mr.  Adams,  for  the  same  reason  that  the 
president  rejected  the  treaty  of  1806,  because  it  was 
thought  better  to  have  no  provision,  than  one  which  did 
not  sufficiently  provide  against  the  abuses  of  impress- 
ment. England  offered  to  make  it  penal,  for  any  of  her 
naval  officers  to  impress  our  seamen,  provided  we  discon- 
tinued our  practice  of  natuializing  her  subjects.  The 
mockery  of  such  a  proposition,  alone  fully  proves  her 


...vOmm^ 


INTRODUCTION. 


x-vu 


J  complaintej 
zb  of  our  im- 

ried  to  such 
nd  the  safety 
;ient  number 
t  was  calcu- 
ans  were  at 

will,  Kven 
inipressment 
:t  contradic- 
Dn,  and  only 

to  America, 
itlzens  to  be 
-prising  that 
3]ino&,  or  of 
fice  to  infer- 


e  by  Great 
ting  an  end 
onai  on  our 
proposal 
?rs,  but  this 
on  that  the 
ise  it  was 
which  did 
F  impress- 
any  of  her 
we  discon- 
ects.  The 
proves  her 


iixed  mind.  No  plan  could  be  devised  so  suiiable  to  licr 
wishes,  as  that  of  subjecting  the  liberty,  life  and  happi- 
ness of  an  American  citizen,  to  the  caprice  of  every  petty 
lieutenant  of  b*^r  na»y;  otherwise,  she  would  have  been 
contented  with  the  exclusion  of  her  subjects  from  all 
American  vessels,  a  thing  which  she  had  no  right  to  ask, 
but  which  we  were  willing  to  grant  fcr  the  sake  of  peace. 

The  climax  of  this  extraordinary  humiliation;  and 
which,  a  century  hence,  will  scarcely  be  credited,  was  still 
wanting;  the  attack  on  the  Chesapeake  occurred,  and  for 
the  moment,  convulsed  the  nation.  The  burst  of  indigna- 
tion which  followed,  was  even  more  violent  than  that 
which  was  produced  by  the  orders  in  council  of  1793. 
Party  animosity  was  suspended,  meeiings  were  nssein- 
bled  in  every  village,  the  newspapers  were  filled  with 
formal  addresses,  volunteer  companies  were  every  where 
set  on  foot,  and  in  the  first  phrensy  of  the  momont,  the 
universal  cry  was  for  immediate  war.  Although  hostili- 
ties were  not  declared,  the  feelings  of  America  >\  ere  from 
that  day  at  war  with  England;  a  greater  attention  was 
paid  to  the  discipline  of  our  militia,  and  the  formation  of 
volunteer  corps;  and  the  government  was  continually 
making  appropriations  for  our  national  defence.  We  still 
resorted  to  negotiation,  and  the  aggressors  thinking  that 
we  might  now  possibly  be  in  earnest,  were  willing  to  avoid 
war  by  a  sacrifice  of  pride.  They  yielded  to  the  humili- 
ation of  surrendering  the  American  citizens,  upon  the 
very  deck  from  which  they  had  been  forced;  but  at  the 
same  time,  rewarded  the  oflicer,  by  whom  the  violence 
had  been  offered.  In  excusing  her  conduct,  England  con- 
descended to  tell  us,  with  a  serious  face,  that  she  never 
pretended  to  the  right  of  impressing  American  citizens, 
and  this  she  seemed  to  consider  rather  as  a  magnani- 
mous acknowledgement.  HumiliaUng,  indeed,  to  be  se- 
riously told,  that  she  did  not  regard  our  citize as  as  her 
property!  Nothing  can  furnish  stronger  proof  of  the  ex-s- 
tent  of  the  abuse,  and  the  bad  policy  of  our  pacifick  course 
of  remonstrance.  Our  sacred  duty  to  our  fellow-citizens,, 
as  well  as  a  regard  to  our  national  character,  forbade  such 
an  acquiescence. 

From  this  review  of  the  subject  of  impressment,  we  res- 
2* 


■wi— <  I  pmi^g 


i«i^»< 


}kvm 


INTRODUCTION. 


i«t; 


turn  to  the  other  principal  branch  of  our  national  diflTcr- 
cnceso  It  must  be  evident  to  the  reader,  that  nothing- 
was  to  be  expected  from  ciny  temporary  arrangement  on 
the  part  of  our  enemy;  that  nothing  siiort  of  a  change  in 
her  genera  policy  an<l  temper  would  suffice,  and  notliing 
but  a  war  could  effect  this  chanjj;e.  Whatever  disputes 
we  may  have  had  with  other  nations,  they  were  of  little 
moment,  compared  to  our  differences  with  En«y!rtriU.  To 
settle  the  terms  on  which  we  were  to  be  with  her,  was  of 
the  first  importance;  our  mutual  intercouise  and  trade, 
was  of  va&?t  extent;  she  occupied  the  highway  to  other 
nations,  which  she  could  interrupt  when  she  pleased;  it 
was  of  little  consecjuence  on  what  terms  we  were  with 
others,  as  long  as  our  relations  with  England  were  not 
properly  adjusted.  Our  intercourse  witli  tVance  was 
comparatively  of  but  little  moment;  she  had  not  recover- 
ed from  the  phrensies  of  her  revolution;  her  deportment 
was  excentrick,  lawless,  and  unstable;  she  was  a  comef^ 
threatening  all  nations.  Our  true  wisdom  was  to  keep 
out  of  her  way.  On  the  ocean  she  was  but  little  to  be 
dreaded,  and  was  in  no  condition  to  execute  her  thi  .ts^ 
and  notwithstanding  the  power  of  England  to  sweep  our 
commerce  from  the  ocean,  and  to  seal  our  ports,  we  stii?. 
expected  something  from  her  good  sense,  her  justice,  or 
her  interest.  Yet  scarcely  was  the  flame  of  war  once 
more  lighted  up  on  the  continent,  than  both  the  bellige- 
rents began,  under  various  pretexts,  to  Drey  upon  our 
commerce.  On  the  part  of  England,  the  .  ule  of  *56  was 
revived,  and  applied  in  a  manner  more  incolerable  than 
ever.  The  suft'erings  of  the  American  merchants  were 
such,  as  to  cause  them  to  call  loudly  on  the  government 
for  protection,  and  a  war  with  England,  at  this  time,  was 
by  many  thought  inevitable.  It  appeared  to  be  her  fixed 
determination,  that  neutrals  should  enjoy  no  trade  with- 
out her  special  license  and  permission.  By  some  it  was 
thought,  that  if  we  should  enter  into  her  views,  and  de- 
clare war  against  France,  she  would  amicably  arrange 
the  points  in  dispute  between  us.  This,  however,  was 
very  doubtful;  it  might  have  encouraged  her  to  make  still 
further  claims.  Such  a  thing  was,  besides,  impossible. 
The  American  people,  still  smarting  under  so  many 


vvroii 
woul 
In 
block 
of  fP 
siveP 
ing 


INTRODUCTION. 


XIX 


wron|j;s  unredressetl,  could  not  be  intluced  (o  do  what 
would  almost  amount  to  a  return  to  subjection. 

In  May,  1806,  Britain  commenced  her  system  of  paper 
blockade,  by  interdicting  all  intercourse  with  a  great  part 
of  France  and  her  dependencies.  This  operated  exclu- 
sively on  the  United  States,  who  were  the  only  remain- 
ing neutrals.  The  decrees  of  the  French  emperour  of 
the  sixth  of  November,  followed,  and  were  immediately 
made  known  to  our  minister  at  London,  with  a  threat, 
tiuit  if  they  were  put  into  execution,  (although  the  British 
minister  well  knew,  tha^  it  could  be  nothing  more  than  a 
bravado,)  similar  measures  would  be  adopted.  But  with- 
out waiting  the  result,  in  fact,  before  the  lapse  of  a  fort- 
night, the  British  government  issued  the  orders  in  council, 
of  the  seventh  January,  1806,  which  went  the  full  length 
of  declaring,  that  no  vessel  should  be  at  liberty  to  trade 
from  one  port  of  France  to  another,  or  from  a  port  under 
her  control,  and  from  which  the  English  were  excluded. 
Napoleon's  Milan  decrees  succeeded,  which  were  little 
more  than  nominaltothe  neutral,  who  did  not  place  him- 
self in  his  power:  they  effected  us,  not  England.  We 
were  the  only  sufferers  in  this  system  of  retaliation, 
which  was,  in  fact,  a  shameful  disregard  to  neutral  rights 
on  the  part  of  both.  England  was  apparently  benefitted, 
inasmuch  as  it  struck  a  blow  at  our  commeice,  and  ren- 
dered it  impossible  for  us  to  spread  a  sail  without  her  per- 
mission. The  belligerents  presented  the  spectacle  of  two 
highwaymen,  robbing  a  passenger,  and  then  quarrelhng 
for  the  spoil;  and  yet  this  was  called  retaliation! 

The  United  States  sincerely  wished  to  be  at  peace. 
Each  of  the  belligerents  accused  us  of  partiality;  and 
wherein  was  that  partiality?  Simply  in  this;  France  de- 
clared, that  we  suffered  the  robberies  of  England  with 
more  patience  than  her  own;  and  England,  that  she  alone 
had  a  right  to  plunder  us!  Each  seemed  to  consider  it  as 
a  previous  condition  of  rendering  us  justice,  that  we 
should  compel  her  adversary  to  respect  our  rights.  In 
this  singular  situation,  it  appeared  the  wisest  course  to 
withdraw  entirely  from  the  ocean.  Experience  soon 
taught  us,  that  our  embargo  system  could  not  be  carried 
into  effect,  for  reasons  which  it  is  unnecessary  for  us  to 


;•<#'    ■' 


XX 


INTRODUCTION. 


repeat.  The  restrictive  system  was  substituted;  we 
placed  It  in  the  power  of  either  of  the  wrong  doers,  to 
make  us  the  open  enemy  of  the  other,  unless  that  other 
renounced  his  practices.  Napoleon  was  the  first  to  an- 
nounce, "a  sense  of  re*  ^  justice;"  our  government, 
the  suttering  party,  dL^i«,.ed  itself  satisfied.  England 
had  shown  no  such  sense  of  retitming  justice;  she  had 
promised  to  repeal  her  orders,  provided  the  French  de- 
crees were  rescined,  but  refused  to  take  the  official  de- 
claration of  the  French  Minister,  although  we  had,  in  a 
similar  cuse,  before  accepted  her  own;  and  positively  re- 
fused to  repeal  the  orders  in  council,  in  default  of  evi- 
dence, that  the  French  ivere  disposed  to  treat  us  well, 
1  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  enter  into  a  discussion  of 
the  question  oi  partiality  to  France  or  England,  or  Spain 
or  Algiers,  although  I  cannot  but  regard,  as  exceedingly 
strange,  that  any  one  of  these  powers,  should  insist  upon 
it  as  a  preliminary  step  to  accommodation,  that  we  should 
punish  the  aggressions  of  any  other  nation.  The  mean- 
mg  of  both  was  obvious  enough;  it  was  that  we  should 
take  part  in  the  affairs  of  Europe.  England  supposed 
that  we  could  do  her  service,  and  Napoleon  thought  we 
could  injure  England. 

In  the  meantime,  the  loss  of  American  property  by  the 
depredations  of  the  belligerents,  had  been  immense.  The 
vexations  practised  by  tlie  British  cruisers  off  our  coast, 
who  made  it  a  point  to  harass  the  issuing  and  returning 
commerce  of  the  United  States,  and  which  the  people  of 
England  were  not  able  to  estimate,  kept  the  publick  mind 
continually  inflamed.  Our  citizens  were  distracted  amid 
these  surrounding  difficulties.  It  was  agreed  that  we 
had  ample  cause  of  hostility  against  both  belligerents,  but 
the  administration  was  accused  of  undue  leaning  towards 
France,  and  a  disposition  not  sufficiently  conciliatory  to- 
wards England.  The  friends  of  the  administration  de- 
clared, that  the  efforts  to  obtain  redress  from  England, 
were  weakened  by  a  powerful  British  influence,  which 
had  grown  up  of  late  years,  in  the  eastern  states,  and  in 
the  commercial  cities. 

While  the  publick  mind  was  in  this  state  of  ferment, 
from  our  disputes  with  England  and  France,  onr  frontiers 


INTRODUCTION, 


xxr 


were  fhreatened  with  an  Indian  war,  which,  as  usual,  was 
attributed  to  the  instigations  of  the  former.  The  United 
States  have  frequently  been  charted  with  cruel  violence 
and  injustice  to  the  Indians.  That  we  had  encroached 
upon  their  hunting  grounds,  cannot  be  denied,  but  this 
was  the  necessary  consequence  of  the  increase  in  our 
population;  but  the  ^reat  difference  between  us  and 
ether  nations,  in  relation  to  the  Indian  lands,  is,  that  in- 
stead of  takin{j  them  without  ever  acknowledging  the 
right  of  the  Indians,  we  have  endeavoured  to  obtain  them 
by  fuir  purchase.  The  United  States  were  the  first  to 
respect  the  Indian  territorial  right,  as  they  were  the  first 
to  abolish  the  slave  trade,  and  domestick  slavery;  for,  as 
a  nation,  we  have  forbidden  it. 

There  existed  a  celebrated  Indian  warriour,  who  had 
been  always  remarkable  for  his  enmity  to  the  whites,  and 
•.vho,  like  I'ontiac,  had  formed  the  design  of  uniting  all 
the  different  tribes,  in  order  to  oppose  an  effectual  bar- 
rier to  the  further  extension  of  the  settlements.  Te- 
tumsch  vas  a  formidable  enemy;  he  resorted  to  every 
artifice  to  stir  up  the  minds  of  the  Indians  against  us. 
Of  an  active  and  restless  character,  he  visited  the  most 
distant  nations,  and  endeavoured  to  rouse  them  by  his 
powerful  eloquence.  He  also  assailed  the  superstitious 
minds  of  his  countrymen,  by  means  of  his  broths  •,  a  kind 
of  conjurer,  called  "the  prophet."  He  had  received  as- 
surances from  the  British,  of  such  assistance  as  would 
enable  him  to  carry  his  plans  into  execution.  In  the 
year  1811,  a  council  was  held  by  govcrnour  Harrison,  of 
Indiana,  at  Vincennes,  and  at  which  Tecumseh  attended, 
to  remonstrate  against  a  purchase  lately  made  from  the 
Kickapoos  and  some  other  tribes.  In  a  strain  of  won- 
derful eloquence,  the  orator  inveighed  against  the  en- 
croachments of  the  Americars,  gave  a  faithful  history  of 
the  progress  of  the  settlements,  from  the  first  commence- 
ment on  the  Delaware,  to  the  moment  at  which  he  spoke* 
When  answered  b7  Harrison,  he  grasped  his  tomahawk, 
in  a  fit  of  phrensy,  and  boldly  charged  the  American  go- 
vernour  with  having  uttered  what  was  false;  the  war- 
riours  who  attended  him,  twenty  or  thirty  in  number,  fol- 
lowed liis  example;  but  Harrison  had  fortunately  posted 


M 


;?.; 


n 


»ll 


iNTnonucTiox. 


'»     .rt! 


a  ^ard  of  soldiers  near,  who  put  a  stop  to  their  fury. 
The  council,  however,  broke  up,  and  nothing  short  of  war 
was  expected  to  result. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  the  frontier  settlers  had 
become  seriously  alarmed;  every  thing  on  the  part  of  tlie 
Indians  appeared  to  indicate  approaching  nostilities. 
Governour  Harrison  resolved  to  move  towards  the  pro- 
phet's town,  with  a  body  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana  mili- 
tia, and  the  fourth  United  States  regiment,  under  colonel 
Boyd,  to  demand  {satisfaction  of  the  Indians,  and  to  put 
a  stop  to  their  hostile  designs.  In  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber, having  approached  within  a  few  miles  of  the  pro- 
phet's town,  tne  principal  chiefs  came  out  with  offers  of 
peace  and  submission,  and  requested  the  governour  tc 
encamp  for  the  night,  as  it  was  then  too  late  to  enter  on 
business.  It  was  not  long  before  this  was  discovered  to 
be  a  treacherous  artifice.  At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
the  camp  was  furiously  assailed,  and  after  a  bloody  ami 
♦ioubtful  contest,  the  Indians  were  finally  repulsed,  with 
the  loss  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  killed  and  wounded, 
on  our  pai-t,  and  a  still  greater  number  on  theirs.  Colo- 
nel Davie^  one  of  the  most  distinguished  lawyers  in  the 
United  States;  colonel  White,  of  tne  Saline,  and  a  num- 
ber of  other  valuable  officers,  fell  on  this  occasion.  Har- 
rison, after  this,  destroyed  the  prophet's  town,  and  hav- 
ing established  forts,  returned  to  Vincennes;  but  peace 
was  by  means  restored. 

The  battle  of  Tippecanoe  (the  name  of  the  branch  of 
the  Wabash  on  which  it  was  fought)  seemed  to  inflame 
the  temper  of  the  country,  already  calling  for  war.  A 
naval  incident  which  occurred  some  time  afterwards,  did 
not  serve  to  allay  it.  Off  the  American  coast,  commo- 
dore Rodgers,  during  the  night,  fell  in  with  the  British 
man  of  war  brig,  which  proved  to  be  the  Little  Belt;  be- 
ing hailed  by  tne  commodore,  the  commander  merely  re- 
peated the  question,  and,  after  some  minutes,  actually 
fired  several  of  his  guns.  On  this,  the  commodore  pour- 
ed a  broadside  into  her,  and  conipelled  her  commander 
to  beg  for  mercy.  This  was  the  first  check  the  British 
commanders  had  received  from  us  on  the  ocean. 


INTRODUCTION. 


XXIU 


The  conduct  of  Great  Britain,  which  ctcw  every  day 
more  insupportable,  can  only  be  accounted  tor,  by  her  be- 
lief that  we  couhl  not  (to  use  the  conteiimtuous  expres- 
sion of  the  day)  be  kicked  into  a  war,  T'lu'  experiment 
of  war,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  v/as  an  awful 
one;  any  administration  mi^ht  be  justly  apprehensive  of 
venturinji;  upon  an  experiment,  the  consequences  of  which 
no  one  could  foresee.  This  forbearance  was  construed 
into  pusillanimity;  and  the  name  and  character  of  the 
United  States  had  sunk  low,  in  consequence,  with  every 
nation  of  Europe.  We  had  become  the  butt  and  jest  of 
Napoleon  and  the  Knglish  ministry,  and  who  yet  vainly 
essayed  to  draw  us  into  a  participation  in  their  wars.  A 
war  with  Napoleou  could  not  have  been  more  than  nomi- 
nal, unless  we  united  in  a  close  alliance  with  Kn<;land; 
w  ithout  this,  we  could  inflict  on  him  nothing  more  than  a 
simple  non-intercourse.  But  a  war  with  England  would 
be  a  very  different  matter;  without  forming  any  alliance 
with  Napoleon,  we  might  assail  her  commerce,  her  pub- 
lick  ships,  and  her  adjoining  provinces. 

But  Great  Britain  was  contending  for  her  existence, 
she  was  fighting  the  battles  of  the  civilized  world,  it  was 
therefore  cruel  an<l  ungenerous  to  press  our  demands  at 
such  a  moment.    This  was  by  no  means  evident.     If  it 
had  been  true,  why  did  she  continue,  at  such  a  time,  to 
insult  and  abuse  u*  in  every  possible  shape?     Notwith- 
standing this  appeal,  there  were  many  amongst  us,  who 
could  only  see  a  contest  between  two  great  nations  for 
the   mastery  of  the   world.      We  saw  the   stupendous 
schemes  of  British  aggrandisement,  in  every  part  of  the 
globe,  which  had  little  tiie  appearance  of  tighting  for  her 
existence.     We  saw  her  already  mistress  of  the  seas; 
we  regarded  any  actual  invasion  of  her  shores,  as  a  thing 
too  visionary,  even  for  Napoleon;  we  saw,  in  the  lawless 
and  unbounded  projects  of  this  despot,  at  which  England 
affected  to  be  alarmed,  her  best  security,  as  they  kept 
alive  the  fears  and  jealousies  of  the  surrounding  nations, 
and  continually  undermined  his  throne.     We  have  seen 
how  inconsiderable  were,  in  reality,  all  his  conquests. 
The  existence  of  England  was  never  in  danger;  Napo- 
leon could  never  have  subdued  Spain  and  Russia;  two 


hi 


XX'V 


INTRODUCTION. 


projoct?,  which  all  now  admit  to  have  been  the  extreme 
of  foll}^  En«jland  was  not  fighting  the  battles  of  the 
world,  l)ut  of  Tier  ambition;  she  was  not  the  bulwark  of 
our  religion,  but  the  instigator  of  the  savages;  she  was 
not  the  woild's  last  hope — that  last  hope  is  America;  not 
as  the  pretended  champion  in  the  cause  of  other  nations, 
but  as  a  living  argument,  that  tyranny  is  not  necessary  to 
the  safety  of  man;  that  to  be  degraded  and  debased,  is 
not  the  way  to  be  great,  prospeious,  and  happy. 


,.y..Ma*iliB**i«*f**«fc»3 


the  extreme 
ittles  of  the 
e  bulwark  of 
^es;  she  was 
America;  not 
(ther  nations, 
necessary  to 
d  debased,  is 


HISTORY  OF  THE  LATE  WAR. 


'-1J 
'■}' 


'I 


CHAPTER  I. 


Br-claration  of  Wat' — General  Hull  reaches  llttroit — Cfosnos  iiitn 
Canada — Skirmishes  on  the  River  aux  Canards — RatUe  of  Brcwiis- 
toAvn — ^Takins;  of  Michillimackinac — Taking  of  Chicago — Battle  ot 
Magagua— The  surrender  of  Hull. 

An  interesting  period  in  the  history  of  this  youthful  na- 
tion was  fast  approaching.  Our  affairs  with  Great  Bri- 
tain had  become  every  day  more  and  more  embarrar.sed. 
The  storm  already  lowered,  and  there  M'as  little  hope 
that  the  gathering  clouds  would  pass  harmless  over  us. 
In  consequence  of  this  state  of  things,  the  session  of  the 
twelfth  congress  had  been  protracted  to  an  unusual  length, 
and  the  eyes  of  America  w€re  turned  towards  it,  in  anx- 
ious expectation.  On  the  fifth  of  June,  the  president 
laid  before  congress  the  correspondence  between  our  se- 
i  retary  of  state,  and  the  British  government,  which  seem- 
*^d  to  preclude  all  hope  of  coming  to  an  adjustment,  in 
the  two  principal  points  in  dispute,  the  orders  in  council, 
and  the  subject  of  impressment.  But,  wc  had  so  often 
been  on  the  point  of  a  rupture  with  Great  Britain,  that 
no  certain  conjecture  could  be  formed  by  the  most  intel- 
ligent, of  the  probable  result.  The  publick  voice  called 
loudly  for  war,  at  least  tliis  was  the  sense  of  a  great  ma- 
jority of  the  nation.  At  length,  on  the  eighteenth  of  June, 
after  sitting  witli  closed  doors,  the  solemn  and  important 
appeal  to  arms  was  announced.  The  president  had  com- 
municated his  message,  in  which  all  our  complaints  against 
S 


);.i. 
i^ 

\"\: 
'i,-^ 


%  4 


\^' 


■  I     H  1 1  )    llll 


3SBi 


26 


HISIORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


'  I 


Great  "Britain  were  enumerated  with  great  force,  and 
an  opinion  expressed  that  no  remedy,  no  hope  now 
rcmanied,  but  in  open  war.  The  committee  of  foreign 
relations,  to  whom  the  message  was  referred,  concurred 
with  the  president,  in  recommending  the  measure.  An 
act  of  congress  was  accordingly  passed,  which  received 
the  sanction  of  the  president  on  the  same  day;  and  on 
the  day  following,  the  nineteenth  of  June,  1812,  war  was 
publickly  proclaimed. 

Tl»is  highly  important  and  eventful  act  of  the  nation- 
al legislature  was  variously  received.  In  some  places, 
it  produced  demonstrations  of  joy,  similar  to  that  which 
followed  our  declaration  of  independence.  War,  as  a 
calamity,  although  unavoidable  in  the  present  state  of  the 
world,  where  the  strong  are  ever  prone  to  trample  on  the 
rights  of  the  weak,  should  be  received  without  despon- 
dency, but  not  with  gladness.  There  were  many,  how- 
eve  •,  who  regarded  the  approaching  conflict,  as  a  second 
struggle  in  support  of  national  independence,  and  not 
ill  the  course  of  ordinary  wars,  waged  for  the  sake  of 
mere  interest,  or  in  pursuit  of  the  plans  of  state  polic3% 

On  the  sea  board,  and  in  the  eastern  states,  the  sensa- 
tions which  it  produced  were  far  from  being  joyful.    The 
sadden  gloom  by  which  their  commercial  prosperity  was 
overcast,  caused  an  awful  sadness,  as  from  an  eclipse  of 
4he  sun.     The  commerce  of  the  cities,  although  for  some 
years  greatly  restricted  by  the  depredations  of  the  two 
great  contending  powers  of  Europe, still  lingered  in  hopes 
of  better  times;  it  must  now  be  totally  at  an  end;  their 
ships  must  be  laid  up,  and  the  busy  hum  of  peaceful  ac- 
tivity be  stilled.     In  dilferent  parts  of  the  United  States, 
the  v/ar  would  necessarily  be  more  severely  felt;  in  an 
extensive  country  like  this,  it  is  impossible  it  should  be 
otherwise.     Moreover,  there  were  those  who  regarded 
this  measure  as  a  most  interesting  and  eventful  experi- 
ment.   An  opinion  was  prevalent  that  the  form  of  our 
government  was  not  adapted  to  war,  from  the  want  of 
sufficient  energy  in  the  executive  branch,  and  from  un- 
avoidable divisions  in  the  national  councils.    But,  what 
was  much  more  to  be  feared,  the  union  of  our  states  had 
scarcely  yet  been  perfectly  cemented;  and  if  the  interests 


of 

drdj 

im 

ed 

wil 

othi 

am 

ThJ 

the 

ten! 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


;  force,  and 
>  hope  now 
B  of  foreign 
1,  concurred 
easure.  An 
ch  received 
lay;  and  on 
12,  war  was 

'  the  nation- 

iome  places, 

)  that  which 

War,  as  a 

:  state  of  the 

iniple  on  the 

lOut  despon- 

many,  how- 

as  a  second 

ice,  and  not 

the  sake  of 

state  policy. 

,  the  sensa- 

oyful.    The 

asperity  was 

m  eclipse  of 

igh  for  some 

of  the  two 

red  in  hopes 

end;  their 

►eaceful  ac- 

lited  States, 

felt;  in  an 

it  should  be 

lo  regarded 

tful  experi- 

)rin  of  our 

Ihe  want  of 

Id  from  un- 

But,  what 

states  had 

le  interests 


of  any  extensive  portion  should  be  too  deeply  aftectcd,  a 
drssolution  of  our  compact,  "the  noblest  fabrick  of  iuiinan 
invention,"  might  ensue.  A  powerful  party  was  oppos- 
ed to  the  measure,  on  the  ground,  that  an  accommodation 
with  England  might  yet  be  made,  that  war  could  net  be 
otherwise  than  in  subserviency  to  the  views  of  Franco. 
and  that  we  were  unprepared  for  so  serious  a  contest. 
The  opposition  of  a  great  portion  of  the  population,  of 
the  talents,  and  wealth  of  the  country,  would  c(;rtaiiilv 
tend  to  throw  embarrassments  on  its  prosecution.  Una- 
nimity, in  so  important  a  measure,  was  not  to  be  expect- 
ed; yet  the  disadvantages  of  tliis  opposition  would 
be  greatly  felt.  It  was  foreseen  that  our  Atlantick  cities 
would  be  much  exposed,  that  the  coasts  of  the  southern 
states  would  be  laid  open  to  the  incursions  of  maraud  in  <^ 
parties,  and  that  the  western  frontier  would  feel  all  the 
norrours  of  a  savage  and  murderous  warfare.  Many  per- 
sons, on  the  other  hand,  entertained  the  belief,  that  the 
Canadas  would  fall,  and  that  the  Floridas,  in  case  that 
k:pain  should  be  broui2;ht  into  thi-  contest  on  the  side  of 
En^^Iand,  would  be  ours.  Thus  should  we  be  freed  from 
troublesome  neighbours,  and  end  for  ever,  that  dreadful 
species  of  hostility  in  which  we  had  been  so  often  engag- 
ed with  the  savages.  These  hopes  were  not  ill  founded; 
but  we  were  not  aware,  at  the  time,  of  our  deficiency  in 
experience,  and  want  of  a  full  knowledge  of  our  resour- 
ces; the  causes  of  many  subsequent  calamities. 

For  some  years  previous  to  the  declaration  of  war,  a 
military  spirit  was  gradually  diftusing  itself  amongst  the 
people.  Pains  were  taken  in  disciplining  volunteer  com- 
panies throughout  the  country,  and  a  degree  of  pride  and 
emidation  was  every  where  felt,  to  excel  in  military  exer- 
cises. There  seemed  to  be  a  kind  of  instinct,  to  prepare 
for  the  approach  of  war.  liut  tlie  military  establish- 
ments were  exceedingly  defective.  Acts  of  congress 
had  already  authorised  the  enlistment  of  twenty-five 
thousand  men,  but  it  was  found  impossible  to  fill  the 
ranks  of  a  regular  aimj^^  from  the  small  number  of  indi- 
viduals who  were  not  in  easy  circumstances,  and  there- 
lore  under  no  necessity  of  enlisting.  The  wliole  number 
already  enlisted,  scarcely  amounted   to  five  thousand 


'    M 


M""' 


):•.   ''■ 


^8 


HiSTORY  OF  ll^E  WAfc 


i   ji' 


men,  and  these  scattered  over  an  immense  surface  of 
Lountrj.  The  president  was  authorised  to  receive  fil'ty 
thousand  volunteers,  and  to  call  out  one  hundred  thousand 
militia.  This  force  could  not  be  expected  to  be  otherwise 
serviceable,  than  for  the  purpose  of  defending  the  sea- 
coast,  or  the  frontier.  A  difficuHj  of  still  greater  impor- 
tance existeii;  the  best  troops  in  the  world,  are  inefficient, 
unless  they  happen  to  be  led  by  able  and  experien^ced 
officer*.  (Jur  ablest  revolutionary  heroes  had  paid  the 
debt  of  nature,  and  those  who  remained,  were  either  far 
advanced  in  life,  or  had  not  been  proved  in  other  than 
,:iMbordinate  situations;  and  besides,  from  lon^  repose, 
ihey  had  laid  aside  all  their  military  habits,  'rfiere  pre- 
vailed, however,  a  disposition  to  place  a  degree  of  reli- 
ance on  the  skill  of  the  revolutionary  soldier,  from  the 
mere  circumstance  of  having  been  such,  which  was  not 
corrected  until  we  had  been  severely  taught  by  after  ex- 
{jerience.  Such  was  the  situation  oi  things,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  hostilities. 

Whether  to  be  attributed  to  the  nature  of  our  govern- 
ment, whose  genius  is  not  well  adapted  to  offensive  war^ 
litre  on  land,  or  to  the  precipitancy  and  want  of  forecast 
in  our  rulers,  certain  it  is,  that  the  preparations  for  the 
invasion  of  the  province  of  Canada,  were  by  no  means 
suitable  to  the  occasion. 

Governour  Hull,  at  the  head  of  about  two  thousand 
men,  was  on  his  march  to  Detroit,  with  a  view  of  putting 
an  end  to  the  Indian  hostilities,  when  he  receivea  infor- 
mation of  the  declaration  of  war.  His  force  consisted 
uf  about  one  thousand  regulars,  and  twelve  hundred  vol- 
unteers from  the  state  of  i)hiu,  who  had  rendezvoused  on 
(he  twenty-ninth  of  April.  In  the  beginning  of  June 
ihey  advanced  to  Urbanna,  where  tliey  were  joined  by 
the  4th  regiment  of  United  States  infantry,  and  imme- 
diately commenced  their  march  through  the  wilderness, 
still  in  possession  of  the  Indians,  and  which  separates  the 
inhabited  part  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  from  the  Michigan 
territory.  From  the  town  of  Urbanna  to  the  Rapids,  a 
distance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  they  V.ad  to 
pass  through  a  country  without  roads,  and  abounding 
with  marshes.    From  the  Rapid's  to  Detroit,  along  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


,se  surface  of 
I  receive  fifty 
Jred  thousantl 
3  be  otherwise 
iding  the  sea- 
;reater  impor- 
ire  inefficient, 
i  experienced 
had  paid  the 
ere  either  far 
in  other  than 
long  repose, 
'Fhere  pre- 
jgree  of  reli- 
ier,  from  the 
i^hich  was  not 
t  by  after  ex- 
,  at  the  com- 

'  our  goveru- 
)ifensive  war^ 
it  of  forecast 
ations  for  the 
)y  no  means 

Vv'o  thousand 

w  of  putting 

ceivea  infor- 

rce  consisted 

hundred  vol- 

ezvoused  on 

ing  of  June 

re  joined  by 

and  imme- 

wilderness, 

eparates  the 

he  Michigan 

le  Rapids,  a 

they  p. ad  to 

abounding 

t,  alon^  the 


Miamie  of  the  Lake,  and  along  the  Detroit  river,  there 
were  a  few  settlements  chiefly  of  French  Canadians,  but 
in  general  the  territory  was  but  thinly  inhabited;  the 
whole  of  its  scattered  population  scarcely  exceeded  five 
or  six  thousand  souls.  It  was  near  the  last  of  June  when 
this  little  army  reached  the  Rapids,  after  having  expe- 
rienced considerable  obstacles,  m  traversing  a  gloomy, 
and  almost  trackless  wilderness.  They  no vv  entered  an 
open  and  romantick  country,  and  proceeded  on  their 
march,  full  of  an  ardent  and  adventurous  spirit,  wliich 
sought  only  to  encounter  difficulties  and  dangers.  The 
volunteers  of  Ohio  consisted  of  some  of  the  most  enter- 
prising and  active  young  men  of  the  state;  liner  mate- 
rials were  never  collected.  After  taking  some  refresh- 
ments heroi  they  loaded  a  schooner  with  a  part  of  their 
baggage,  in  order  to  lighten  their  march.  On  the  fifth  of 
July,  they  encamped  at  Spring  Wells,  opposite  Sand- 
wich, and  within  a  few  miles  of  Detroit.  For  some  days 
the  army  had  been  under  the  necessity  of  proceeding 
with  great  caution,  to  guard  against  surprises  from  the 
Indians,  and  their  allies,  and  who,  but  for  this  timely  ar- 
rival, would  have  possessed  themselves  of  Detroit:  they, 
however,  had  thrown  up  breast-works  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  and  had  made  an  attempt  to  fortify  a 
position  about  three  miles  below.  From  both  these  hoMs, 
they  were  soon  compelled  to  retreat,  by  a  well  directed 
lire  from  the  American  artillery. 

This  was  the  favourable  moment  for  commencing  ac- 
tive operations  against  the  neighbouring  province  of 
Upper  Canada;  and  as  governour  Hull  had  received 
discretionary  power  to  act  oifensively,  an  immediate  inva- 
sion was  determined  on.  Preparations  for  this  purpose 
were  directly  made,  and  boats  provided  to  eftect  the  pas- 
sage of  the  whole  army  at  the  same  instant.  The  British, 
aware  of  this  design,  attempted  to  throw  up  a  battery,  for 
the  purpose  of  opposing  the  landing;  this  was  twice  ren- 
dered abortive;  on  theiV  attempting  it  a  third  time,  they 
were  permitted  to  accomplish  it  unmolested,  as  our  army 
Gould  either  land  above  or  below  it,  and  thus  keep  out  of 
the  reach  of  their  guns,  which  consisted  of  seven  small 
raunon,  and  two  mortats*— On  the  twel-fth,  every  tlnng 


'':f'  "W. 


'    ^'AI 


s- 


''''i 


II 


so 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


being  made  ready,  the  army  embarked^  and  landed  with- 
out molestation,  some  distance  above  the  fort,  and  enter- 
ed the  village  of  Sandwich.  The  inhabitants  made  no 
shew  of  resistance,  and  were  therefore  respected  in  their 
persons  and  property;  the  principal  part,  however,  had 
been  marched  to  Maiden,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  its 
defence.  A  proclamation  was  immediately  issued  by 
Hull,  in  which  he  declared  his  intention  of  invading  Can- 
ada, but  gave  every  assurance  of  protection  to  the  inhabi- 
tants, whom  he  advised  to  take  no  part  in  the  contest. 
The  proclamation,  was  written  in  a  spirited  and  energet- 
ick  style,  and  had  he  been  eventually  successful,  there  is 
no  doubt  it  would  have  been  regarded  as  an  eloquent  pro- 
duction. It  has  been  censured  by  the  British  as  intended 
to  seduce  her  subjects  from  their  allegiance,  as  if  this  were 
not  justifiable  in  an  invading  army;  and  as  violating  the 
laws  of  civilized  warfare,  in  the  declaration  that  no  quar- 
ter would  be  given  to  any  white  man  found  fighting  by  tlic 
side  of  an  Indian.  When  we  consider,  that  Indians  giv^e 
no  quarter,  there  may  be  as  much  justice  in  retaliating, 
upon  those  who  are  fighting  by  their  sides,as  upon  the  sav- 
ages themselves,  for  it  may  be  presumed  that  both  are  actu- 
ated by  the  same  intentions.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that 
Hull  was  seriously  resolved  on  carrying  this  threat  into 
execution;  his  object  was  to  prevent,  if  possible,  the  em- 
ployment of  savages. 

In  a  few  days,  possession  was  taken  of  the  whole  coun- 
try along  the  Trench,  or  Thames,  a  beautiful  river,  whose 
borders  are  well  settled.  This  service  was  performed  by 
col.  M*Ai-thur,  of  the  Ohio  militia,  who  returned  to  carnp, 
after  having  collected  a  considerable  quantity  of  Glank- 
ets,  ammunition,  and  other  military  stores.  Col.  Cass  was 
then  despatched  in  an  opposite  direction,  towards  Fort 
Maiden,  with  two  hundred  and  eighty  men,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  reconnoitering  the  British  and  Indians.  This 
place  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  Detroit  river  with  lake 
Erie,  thirteen  miles  south  of  Hull*9  camp.  Col.  Cass,  fol- 
lowing the  course  of  the  stream,  reached  the  river  Aux 
Canards,  about  four  miles  from  Maiden,  where  he  found  a 
British  detachment  in  possession  of  the  bridge.  After 
reconnoitering  the  situation  of  tbe  enemy,  tne  colonel 


"1 


ret 
th< 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


31 


i  landed  with- 
}rt,  and  enter- 
ants  made  no 
ected  in  their 
however,  had 
>f  aiding  in  its 
ely  issued  by 
invading  Can- 
to the  inhabi- 
1  the  contest. 
I  and  energet- 
issful,  there  is 
eloquent  pro- 
3h  as  intended 
as  if  this  were 
violating  the 
that  no  quar- 
Rghting  by  the 
t  Indians  give 
in  retaliating, 
ipon  the  sav- 
both  are  actu- 
supposed  that 
lis  threat  into 
sible,  the  em- 

!  whole  coun- 
river,  whose 
performed  by 
ned  to  camp, 
ity  of  Glank- 
ol.  Cass  was 
owards  Fort 

for  the  pur- 
lans.  This 
ver  with  lake 
ol.  Cass,  fol- 
ic river  Aux 
e  he  found  a 
idge.     After 

tne  colonel 


placed  a  rifle  company  under  capR  Robinson,  near  the 
place,  with  orders,  to  divert  the  attention,  of  the  guard,  by 
Keeping  up  a  fire  until  the  rcnainder  of  the  party  should 
appear  on  the  opposite  side.  This  part  of  the  detach- 
ment, was  to  have  forded  the  river  about  five  miles  below. 
Tlie  design  was  frustrated,  by  their  want  of  a  sufficient 
knowledge  of  the  country;  the  detachment  was  unable  to 
reach  the  designated  spot,  until  late  in  the  evening;  in 
the  meanwhile,  the  attempt  to  surprise  the  post  had  been 
discovered,  and  it  was  strengthened  by  considerable  rein- 
forcements: notwithstanding  which  a  smart  skirmish  en- 
sued, and  the  enemy  v/as  compelled  to  abandon  his  posi- 
tion, after  losing  eleven  killed  and  wounded,  besides  sev- 
eral deserters.  Col.  Cass,  having  no  orders  to  retain  pos- 
session of  it,  although  constituting  the  principal  obstruc- 
tion between  the  American  camp  and  Maiden,  thought 
proper  to  retire.  The  floor  of  this  bridge  was  afterwards 
taken  up,  and  a  breast- work  erected  on  the  bank  to  ob- 
struct the  passage  of  the  river. 

There  occurred,  a  few  days  afterwards,  anotli  r  skir- 
mish at  the  same  place,  between  the  guard  and  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  under  col.  M* Arthur.  The  colonel 
having  advanced  somewhat  too  near  the  enemy,  while 
reconnoitering  their  situation,  narrowly  escaped  being  cut 
off  from  his  men.  A  messenger  informed  him,  that  sev- 
eral Indians  had  been  seen  passing  to  his  rear,  and  it  was 
at  the  same  time  discovered,  that  those  who  had  been 
stationed  at  the  battery,  were  rapidly  quitting  it  He 
had  scarcely  time  to  turn  his  horse,  when  he,  together 
with  his  companions.  Dr.  M*Anaw,  and  capt.  Puthuff, 
were  fired  upon  by  a  party  of  Indians,  concealed  in  the 
bushes.  The  detachment,  on  the  report  of  the  guns,  ad- 
vanced to  the  succour  of  their  leader,  and  drove  the  In- 
dians back.  The  Indian  party  is  said  to  have  been  com- 
manded by  the  daring  chief  Tecumseh. 

These  skirmishes,  in  which  the  Americans  were  gen- 
erally victorious,  served  to  inspire  confidence,  and,  to- 
gether with  the  proclamation,  had  an  effect  upon  the 
Canadians,  many  of- whom  joined  our  standard,  and 
threw  themselves  on  Hull  for  protection.  They  were  but 
the  preludes  to  the  attack  of  Fort  Maiden,  the  rallying 


«.     :  .■. 


14 


!  -I 


i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


point  of  the  British  power  in  this  quarter.  Until  this 
place  should  be  captured,  it  was  idle  to  think  of  making 
any  progress  in  the  conquest  of  the  British  possessions. 
Preparations  for  this  purpose  proceeded  but  slowly.  It 
seems  that  every  thing  was  to  be  provided  after  the  inva- 
sion. It  was  not  untu  the  beginning  of  August,  that  two 
twenty-four  pounders  and  three  howitzers  were  mounted^ 
In  the  meanwhile,  no  steps  had  been  taken  to  ascertain 
whether  the  fort  might  not  be  carried  by  escalade.  The 
capture  of  this  place,  which  would  have  been  necessary 
in  the  prosecution  of  any  further  design,  had  now  be- 
come absolutely  essential  to  self-preservation,  A  most 
unexpected  event  had  happened  during  the  last  month — 
an  event  to  which  many  of  our  subsequent  misfortunes 
are  to  be  attributed.  This  was  the  surrender  of  Michil- 
limackinac. 

On  the  sixteenth  of  July,  a  party  of  three  huruhed 
white  troops,  and  upwards  of  six  hundred  Indians,  em- 
barked at  St.  Josephs,  and  reached  the  island  next  morn- 
ing. A  prisoner  was  despatched  to  inform  the  garrison, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  the  village,  that  if  any  resistance 
were  made  they  would  all  be  indiscriminately  put  to 
death.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  escaped  to  the  enemy 
for  protection.  The  garrison  consisted  cf  no  more  than 
fifty-six  men,  under  the  command  of  lieutenant  Hanks, 
of  the  artillery.  A  flag  was  now  sent  by  the  British,  to 
the  fort,  demanding  a  surrender.  This  was  the  first  in- 
timation of  the  declaration  of  war,  which  the  garrison 
had  received.  Until  this  moment,  the  American  com^ 
mandant  had  considered  the  attack  as  one  of  the  out- 
rages on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  which  of  late  had  been 
frequent;  he  nad  therefore  resolved  to  defend  himself  to 
the  last  extremity.  He  now  thought  it  most  prudent  to 
agree  to  a  capitulation,  as  there  was  no  hope  of  being  able 
to  defend  himself  successfully,  against  so  great  a  dispar- 
ity of  force;  the  attempt  might  compromit  not  only  the 
lives  of  bis  soldiers,  but  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  island, 
who  had  sought  refuge  in  the  fort.  The  8;arrison  was 
Accordingly  delivered  up;  security  to  the  property  and 
persons  of  individuals  was  stipulated,  and  the  British  put 
in  possession  of  one  of  the  strongest  positions  in  tfte 


Vi 
All 

nu 
inil 

a  III 
■It 

iaii 
(.irl 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR'. 


3S 


United  States,  on  that  account,  sometimes  called  the 
American  Gibraltar.  The  situation  completely  com- 
mands the  northwest  trade,  which  is  compelled  to  pass 
immediately  under  the  jjuns  of  the  tort,  anil  consequently 
afl'urds  the  best  means  of  intercepting  the  Indian  supplies, 
and  of  checking  the  incursions  ot  those  restless  warriours. 
It  is  ditticult  to  say  to  whose  charge  this  affair  is  to  be 
laid.  Without  the  intervention  of  some  extraordinary 
circumstance,  with  which  we  are  unacquainted,  there 
^eems  to  be  nothing  to  excuse  the  governour  in  neglect- 
ing to  notify  the  garrison,  which  was  only  at  the  distance 
«f  two  hundred  and  forty  miles,  and  twelve  days  were 
allowed  him  for  this  purpose. 

Intelligence  of  this  unfortunate  occurrence  reached 
Hull  on  the  23d  of  July,  while  engaged  in  making  pre- 
parations for  the  attack  on  Maiden.  The  British,  by 
tliis  time,  were  considerably  reinforced,  and  aided  by 
an  additional  number  of  Indians.  The  golden  moment 
had  been  suffered  to  pass.  It  is  generally  conceded, 
that  if  an  assault  had  been  made  on  the  fort,  in  the  first 
instance,  it  must  have  fallen.  This  was  the  opinion  of 
the  officers;  the  general,  however,  declined  it  under  va- 
rious pretexts.  But  having  neglected  this  opportunity, 
there  was  no  longer  any  hope  of  carrying  the  place  with- 
out being  j^rovided  with  a  train  of  artillery,  and  the 
necessary  means  for  a  regular  assault.  The  necessity 
of  possessing  the  post,  became  every  day  more  apparent. 
With  the  fall  of  Michillimackinac,  that  of  Chicago,  and 
all  the  other  western  posts,  might  be  expected  to  tollow, 
and  the  Indian  tribes  would  move  lown  with  all  the  force 
of  the  North-west  Company,  rendt  in*  the  situation  of 
our  army  extremely  critical.  In  anticipation  of  these 
events,  the  general  had  sent  repeated  expresses  to  pro- 
cure reinforcements.  His  expectations  of  those  rein- 
forcements, may  probably  be  one  reason  of  the  slowness 
of  his  movements  against  Maiden,  contenting  himself 
with  carrying  on  a  vigilant  partizan  war,  in  itself  of 
little  consequence.  Reinforcements  were  not  hastened, 
from  the  belief  that  the  force  under  his  command,  was 
more  than  sufficient  for  all  the  purposes  that  could  b<^ 
accomplished  in  this  quarter. 


.'  i  ■    ■'■»? 


i-^mm 


34 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


The  spirit  which  had  animated  tlie  troops,  in  the  first 
instance,  was  gradually  ,e;iving  way  lo  (iespondcncy; 
while  their  commander  had  by  this  time  nearly  lost  their 
confidence.  By  the  first  of  Auj^ust,  every  thing  being 
made  ready  for  the  attack  on  Maiden,  a  council  of  war 
was  convened,  and  the  result  waB  a  determination  to 
make  it  immediately.  Desertions  from  the  Canada  mili- 
tia still  continued,  and  the  whole  force  was  animated 
with  the  prospect  of  undertaking  an  enterprise,  which  it 
was  believed  could  not  but  be  successful.  The  cannon 
Avas  well  mounted,  and  embarked  on  floating  batteries. 
The  general  had  approved  the  deliberations  of  the  coun- 
cil, and  the  day  was  actually  appointed,  for  carrying  them 
into  execution. 

Sometime  before  this,  a  company  of  Ohio  volunteers, 
under  the  command  of  captain  Brush,  had  arrived  at  the 
liver  Raisin,  with  supplies  for  the  army.  As  thc'r  march 
to  Detroit,  the  distance  of  thirty-six  miles,  was  attended 
with  considerable  dangers,  from  parties  of  the  enemy, 
it  was  deeniod  prudent  to  remain  here  until  an  escort 
could  be  sent  to  guard  them.  This  duty  was  confided  to 
major  Vanhorn,  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  men.  On  his  second  day's  march,  near  Browns- 
town,  he  was  suddenly  attacked  on  all  sides  by  Brifisn 
regulars  and  Indians.  His  little  force  made  a  deter- 
mined resistance,  and  being  commanded  by  a  brave  and 
skilful  officer,  was  at  length  brought  off,  with  the  loss  of 
nineteen  killed  and  missing,  and  nine  wounded.  Cap- 
tains Gilcrease,  M'Culloch,  and  Bostler  were  killed,  and 
captain  Ulry  severely  wounded. 

Scarcely  had  this  detachment  left  the  camp  at  Sand- 
wich, when  a  sudden  and  unlocked  for  change  took  place 
in  the  determination  of  the  commander  in  chief.  Without 
any  apparent  cause,  or  the  occurrence  of  any  new  event, 
he  announced  his  intention  of  abandoning  not  only  the 
design  upon  Maiden,  but  even  the  position  which  he  then 
hetd.  T!u.  operated  like  a  thunderbolt  upon  the  army; 
the  volunteers  murmured;  they  upbraided  their  com- 
mander with  pusillanimity,  and  even  treachery;  and 
it  was  with  difficulty  they  could  be  restrai.ied  by  their 
own  ofljcers,  in  wiiom  they  confided.    The  disappoint- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


35 


IS,  in  i\\o  tiisi. 


meiit,  and  vexation,  which  ensuetl,  can  be  better  ima- 
jrined  than  described;  all  confidence  in  their  leader  was 
evidently  at  an  end;   if  treacherous,  he  mi«j;ht  deliver 
tliein  up  to  be  massacred;  and  it  was  evident  he  was  de- 
ficient in   the  skill  and  ability  necessary  to  command. 
It  was  with  much  reluctance  this  ;2;allant  little  army  was 
conjpciled  to  abandon,  almost  in  disgrace,  the  flatter- 
ing; hopes,  which  they  thoui!;ht  themselves  on  the  point  of 
realiy-inj;.     They  reached  the  opposite  shore  on  the  eighth 
of  August,  where  they  receiveil  the  intelligence  of  the 
affair  of  major  Vanhorn,  of  the  day  before.     Such  was  the 
termination  of  this  expedition  into  Canada,  of  whose  suc- 
cess, an  account  was  every  moment  expectetl    in   the 
United  States;  happy  had  it  been  if  the  misfortunes  of 
our  arms  had  terminated  here!     The  enemy'>  territory 
was  not,  however,  entirely  evacuated;  a  detacliment  of 
about  three  hundred  men,  was  left  to  keep  possession  of 
Sandwich,  principally  with  a  view  of  affording  some  pro- 
tection to  the  Canadians,  who  had  been  induced  by  Hull's 
proclamation  to  joiji  our  standard. 

One  thing  was  now  on  all  hands  considered  indispen- 
sable, the  opening  the  communication  with  the  river  Rai- 
sin. In  a  few  weeks,  the  army  might  stand  in  need  of 
the  supplies  in  the  possession  of  captain  Brush,  and  at  all 
events,  its  situation  was  rendered  extremely  unplea- 
sant, by  being  thus  cut  off  from  all  communication  with 
the  state  of  Ohio.  To  affect  this  object,  a  respectable 
force  was  detached  under  lieut.  col.  James  Miller,  of  the 
United  States  army,  consisting  of  three  hundred  regulars 
of  the  gallant  4th  regiment,  which  had  distinguished  it- 
self under  col.  Boyd,  at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  and 
also  about  two  hundred  militia.  The  enemy,  anticipating 
a  renewal  of  the  attempt,  had  sent  reinforcements  of  re- 
gulars and  Indians,  so  that  their  force  was  little  short  of 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  men:  this  force  might,  moreover, 
he  increased  during  an  engagement,  from  Maiden,  which 
is  situated  opposite  Brownstown.  They  had  also  thrown 
'ip  a  temporary  breast-work,  of  trees  and  logs,  about  four 
miles  from  this  town,  at  a  place  called  Magagua,  behind 
wiiich  the  greater  part  of  the  Indians,  under  Tecumseh, 


!      i 


o6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Unr  concealed.    The  whole  commanded  by  major  Muir, 
of  the  British  army. 

On  the  ninth,  our  detachment  marched,  but  was  com- 
pelled to  use  great  caution,  from  the  danger  of  surprise, 
riiey,  however,  drew  neor  the  ambuscade,  before  it  was 
discovered,  when  suddenly  the  attack  was  commenced 
on  captain  Sneilinjr,  who  commanded  the  advance,  with 
the  usual  barbarous  shouts  of  the  enemy.  Undaunted  by 
this  sudden  onset,  he  kept  his  ground  until  the  main  body 
approached,  when  the  Indians  sprang  up,  and  with  the 
regulars  furiously  advanced  to  tlie  front  of  tlie  breast- 
work, where  they  formed  a  regular  line,  and  commenced 
a  heavy  fire.  Col.  Miller,  with  the  utmost  celerity  and 
coolness,  drew  up  his  men,  opened  a  brisk  fire,  ancl  then 
charged.  The  British  regulars  gave  way,  but  the  Indians 
under  Tecumseh,  betaking  themselves  to  the  woods  on 
each  side,  kept  their  ground  with  desperate  obstinacy. 
The  regulars  being  rallied,  returned  to  tne  combat,  which 
continued  for  some  time,  with  equal  resolution.  Despis- 
ing both  the  yells  of  the  savages  and  the  musketry  of 
their  allies,  the  American  leader  repelled  their  attacks  on 
every  side,  his  troops  gallantly  maintaining  their  ground 
until  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  yield.  They  retired 
slowly  to  Brownstown,  literally  retreating  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet;  here  they  hastily  embarked  in  boats,  pro- 
vided lor  their  reception.  Had  not  this  precaution  been 
4aken,  it  is  probable  the  whole  force  would  have  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  Americans.  Their  loss  was,  of  the 
regulars,  fifteen  killed,  and  thirty  or  forty  w  ounded,  but 
of  the  Indians  nearly  one  hundred  were  left  on  the  field. 
In  this  battle,  which  lasted  about  two  hours,  we  had  fif- 
teen killed,  and  about  sixty  wounded.  The  officers  who 
chiefly  distinguished  themselves,  were  captain  Baker, 
lieutenants  Lars  bee  and  Peters,  and  ensign  Whistler. 
The  next  day  at  noon,  col.  Miller,  who  kept  possession 
of  Brownstown,  received  orders  to  return  to  Detroit. 
Tliis  was  rendered  necessary  from  the  fatigue  which  his 
command  had  experienced  in  the  engagement  of  the  day 
before.  It  was  thought  more  adviseable,  to  send  a  frei^h 
detachn\£Bt  t«  accomplish  the  ultin^te  object. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


S7 


An  occurrence  took  place  about  this  time  in  another 
<|uarter,  which  ought  not  to  be  passexl  in  silence.  Cap- 
tain UeaUl,  who  commanded  at  fort  Chicag;o,  had  received 
orders  from  Hull  to  aband(m  that  post  and  make  his  way 
1o  Detroit.  He  accordingly  consigned  the  publick  pro- 
perty to  the  care  of  some  friendly  Indians;  and  with  his 
company,  about  fifty  regulars,  accompanied  by  several 
families,  which  had  resided  near  this  place,  set  out  on 
his  march.  He  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance  along 
tlic  beach  of  the  lake,  when  he  was  attacked  by  a  largo 
body  of  Indians,  who  occupied  the  bank.  Captain  Heald 
ascended  the  bank,  and  fought  them  for  some  time,  until 
they  had  gained  his  rear  and  taken  possession  of  his 
horses  ami  baggage.  He  then  retired  to  an  open  piece 
of  ground,  vvliere  he  was  enabled  to  keep  the  Indians  at 
bay.  But  finding  that  he  would  be  compelled  to  yield  at 
last,  he  accepted  the  offer  of  protection  from  an  Indian 
chief.  Twenty-six  regulars  were  killed,  and  all  the  mi- 
litia; a  number  of  women  and  children  were  inhumanly 
murdered.  Captain  Wells  and  ensign  Warner  were 
among  the  killed.  Heald  with  his  lady,  who  had  received 
six  wounds,  himself  severely  wounded,  after  a  variety  of 
escapes,  at  length  reached  Michillimackinac. 

Tlie  victory  at  Magagua,  though  brilliant,  and  highly 
honourable  to  the  American  arms,  was  productive  ot  no 
essential  at'.i^antage.  Two  days  afterwards,  a  despatch 
was  sent  to  captain  Brush,  who  was  still  in  waiting  for 
the  escort  at  the  river  Raisin,  informing  him  that  in  con- 
semience  of  the  fatigue  of  the  victorious  detachment,  it 
hail  been  rendered  incapable  of  proceeding  further,  and 
that  it  was  become  impossible  to  send  a  sufficient  force 
by  the  usual  rout;  that  he  must  therefore  remain  where 
he  was,  until  circumstances  should  be  more  favourable. 
In  a  postscript,  the  general  advised  him  that  an  attempt 
would  be  made  to  open  the  communication  in  another 
quarter,  by  crossing  the  river  Huron  higher  up  the  coun- 
try. And  accordingly,  on  the  14th,  colonels  Miller  and 
Cass  were  despatched  with  three  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
for  this  purpose.  Sometime  before  this,  an  express  had 
been  received  from  general  Hall,  commanding  at  Nia- 
4 


ss 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAli. 


gara,  bringing  infof  iiation  that  it  was  not  in  his  power  to 
send  reinforcements. 

On  the  I9th,  the  British  took  a  position  opposite  De- 
troit, and  immediately  set  themselves  about  erecting  bat- 
teries. On  their  approach,  major  Denny,  who  commanded 
at  Sandwich,  abandoned  his  position,  and  crossed  over 
to  Detroit,  it  having  been  determined  to  act  entirely  on 
the  defensive.  The  British,  who  continued  their  prepa- 
rations for  the  assault,  on  the  15th  sent  a  tlasc  to  summon 
the  place,  accompanied  by  a  note  from  the  British  com- 
mander. Gen.  Bro.ck,  which,  after  stating  that  the  forces 
at  his  disposal  warranted  the  demand,  concluded  in  these 
words;  "It  is  far  from  my  inclination  to  join  in  a  war  of 
extermination,  but  you  must  be  aware  that  the  numerous 
body  of  Indians  who  have  attached  themselves  to  my 
troops,  will  be  beyond  my  control  the  moment  the  con- 
test commences.  You  will  find  me  disposed  to  enter  into 
such  conditions  as  will  satisfy  the  most  scrupulous  sense 
of  honour.  I^ieut.  colonel  M'Donald  and  major  Glegg 
are  fully  authorised  to  enter  into  any  arrangements  that 
may  tend  to  prevent  the  unnecessary  effusion  of  blood." 

To  this  summons  an  answer  was  returned,  that  the 
fort  would  be  defended  to  the  last  extremity.  The  Bri- 
tish immediately  openetl  their  batteries,  and  continued 
to  throw  shells  during  a  great  part  of  the  night.  The 
fire  was  returned,  but  with  little  effect  on  either  side. 
In  the  morning,  it  was  discovered  that  the  British  were 
landing  their  troops  at  Spring  Wells,  under  cover  of 
their  ships.  To  prevent  the  landing  from  the  fort,  at 
this  moment,  was  impossible;  the  town  lying  between  it 
and  the  river.  But  if  Hull  had  not  neglected  the  ad- 
vice of  his  officers,  he  might  have  effectually  prevented  it, 
by  erecting  batteries  on  the  bank,  where  they  would  be 
compelled  to  debark.  A  strange  fatality  seemed  to  attend 
this  unfortunate  man.  The  enemy  having  landed,  about 
ten  o'clock  advanced  towards  the  fort  in  close  column, 
and  twelve  deep.  From  the  position  of  the  fort,  the  en- 
emy were  enabled  to  approach  within  two  hundred  yards 
belx)re  its  guns  could  be  brought  to  bear,  being  thus  (lir 
shoitered  by  the  town.  The  American  force  was,  how- 
ever, judiciously  disposed  to  prevent  their  advance.  The 


mil 
tow 
ann 
and 
adv 
the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


S9' 


niilitia,  and  a  great  part  of  the  volunteers,  occupied  the 
town,  or  were  posted  behind  pickets,  whence  tliey  could 
annoy  the  enemy's  flanks;  the  regulars  defended  the  fort, 
and  two  twenty-four  pounders  charged  with  grape,  were 
advantageously  posted  on  an  eminence,  and  could  sweep 
the  whole  of  the  enemy's  line.  All  was  now  silent  ex- 
pectation: the  daring  foe  still  slowly  advanced,  apparent- 
ly regardless,  or  unconscious  of  their  danger;  tor  their 
clestruction  must  have  been  certain,  had  they  not  been 
impressed  with  contempt  for  a  commander,  who  had  so 
meanly  abandoned  Sandwich  a  few  days  before.  I'he 
hearts  of  our  countrymen  beat  high,  at  the  near  prospect  of 
regaining  their  credit.  But  who  can  describe  the  chagrin 
and  mortification  which  took  possession  of  these  troops, 
when  orders  were  isrsued  for  them  to  retire  to  the  fort; 
and  the  artillery  at  the  very  moment  when  it  was 
tiiought  the  British  were  advancing  to  certain  destruc- 
tion, was  ordered  not  to  fire!  The  American  troops,  to- 
gether with  a  great  number  of  women  and  children 
were  gathered  into  the  fort,  almost  too  narrow  to  con* 
tain  them.  Here  the  troops  were  ordered  to  stack  their 
arnfts,  and,  to  the  astonishment  of  every  one,  a  white  ilag, 
in  token  of  submission,  was  suspended  from  the  walh-. 
A  British  oflicer  rode  up  to  ascertain  the  cause,  for  this 
surrender  was  no  less  unexpected  to  the  assailants.  A 
capitulation  was  agreed  to,  without  even  stipulating  the 
terms.  AVords  are  wanting  to  express  the  feelings  of 
the  Americans  on  this  occasion;  they  considered  them- 
selves basely  betrayed,  in  thus  surrendering  to  an  infe- 
rior force  without  firing  a  gun,  when  they  were  firmly 
convinced  that  that  force  was  in  their  power.  They  hall 
provisions  for  at  least  fifteen  days,  and  were  provided 
with  all  the  requisite  munitions  of  war.  They  were  com- 
pelled, thus  humiliated,  to  march  out,  and  to  surrender 
themselves  prisoners  at  discretion.  The  British  took 
immediate  possession  of  the  fort,  with  all  the  publick 
property  it  contained;  amongst  which  there  were  forty 
barrels  of  powder,  four  hundred  rounds  of  fixed  twenty- 
four  pound  shot,  one  hundred  thousand  ball  cartridges, 
two  thousand  five  hundred  stand  of  arms,  twenty-five 
pieces,  of  iron  cannon,  and  eight  of  brass,   the  greater 


^'  '».' 


u^^' 


40 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


number  of  which  had  been  captured  by  the  Americans 
«turingthe  revolutionary  war. 

The  whole  territory,  and  all  the  forts  and  garrisons  of 
the  United  States,  within  the  district  of  the  general,  were 
also  formally  surrendered;  and  the  detachment  under 
colonels  Cass  and  M*Arthur,  as  well  as  the  party  under 
captain  Brush,  were  included  in  tlie  capitulation.  Or- 
ders had  been  despatched  tlie  evening  beiore,  for  the  de- 
tachment under  Cass  and  M'Arthur  to  return,  and  they 
had  approached  almost  sufficiently  near  to  discover  the 
movements  of  the  enemy,while  their  accidental  situation, 
might  enable  them  to  render  the  most  material  service 
«luring  the  attack.  They  were  surprised  at  the  silence 
\>  hich  prevailed  when  every  moment  was  expected  to  an- 
nounce the  conflict,  and  that  surprise  was  soon  changed 
Into  rage,  when  they  learned  the  capitulation.  A  British 
officer  was  then  despatched  to  the  river  Raisin,  to  convey 
the  intelligence  to  captain  Brush,  who  at  first  gave  no 
credit  to  so  improbable  a  tale,  and  actually  put  the  officer 
iri  confinement.  The  melancholy  story  was,  however, 
iioon  confirmed  by  some  Amerieans  who  had  escapedi 
<»aptain  Brush  indignantly  refused  to  submi':  to  the  cap- 
itulation, declaring  that  Hull  had  no  right  to  include  him, 
and  determined  to  return  to  the  state  of  Ohio.  He  first 
<leliberated,  whether  he  should  destroy  the  publick  stores, 
which  he  had  in  his  possession,  and  which  he  could  not 
Cany  away;  but  reflecting  that  this  might  be  used  as  a 
pretext  for  harsh  treatment  to  his  countrymen,  he  resolv- 
ed to  abandon  tliem.  The  greater  part  of  the  volunteers 
and  militia^  was  permitted  to  return  home;  but  the  regu- 
lars, together  with  the  general,  were  taken  to  Quebec. 

Ifi  his  official  despatch^  Hull  took  great  pains  to  free 
nis  conduct  from  censure.  In  r  welling  the  account  of  the 
dangers  with  which  he  conceived  himself  beset,  every 
idle  rumour  which  had  operated  on  his  fears,  was  placed 
under  contribution,  while  his  imagination  conjured  up  a 
thousand  frightful  phantoms.  He  magnified  the  rein- 
forcements under  colonel  Proctor,  and  gave  implicit  be- 
lief to  the  story  that  the  whole  force  of  the  Northwestern 
fur  company,  under  major  Chambers,  was  approaching; 
nothing,  in  lact,  was  forgotten,  which  could  heighten  the 


plctui 
in  thel 
againa 
artillel 
the  n[ 
wond( 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


4( 


picture,  or  tend  to  take  the  blame  from  himself.  While 
in  the  Canada  side,  it  was  impossible  to  eft'ect  any  thing 
a<Minst  Maiden,  from  the  dimculty  of  transporting  his 
artillery.  Every  thing  is  diflicult  to  a  man  who  wants 
the  necessary  talents.  The  British  garrison  had  been 
wonderfully  strengthened,  and  at  this  critical  moment, 
general  Hall,  of  Niagara,  announces  that  it  is  not  in  his 
power  to  assist  him.  What  then  could  be  done  but  to 
cross  over  to  Detroit,  that  is,  to  abandon  the  inhabitants 
of  Canada,  who  had  placed  themselves  under  his  protec- 
tion; to  fly,  before  the  enemy  had  even  attempted  to  at- 
tack or  molest  him,  and  thus  encourage  them  in  what  they 
would  never  probably  have  thouglit  possible  to  accom- 
plish. 

But  what  appears  most  to  figure  in  this  laboured  vindi- 
cation, is  the  frightful  display  of  Indian  auxiliaries;  but 
few  of  them,  it  is  true,  were  to  be  seen,  and  therefore  the 
greater  room  was  left  to  the  imagination.  According  to 
Hull,  the  whole  "Northern  hive,"  as  he  called  it,  was 
let  loose;  Winnebagoes,  Wyandots,  Huions,  Chippeways, 
Knistenoos,  and  Algonquins,  Pottowatomies,  SacKs,  Kick- 
apoos,  and  all  the  western  tribes,  were  swarming  in  the 
neighbouriiig  woods,  and  concealed  behind  every  bush, 
ready  to  rush  to  the  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  the  Amer- 
icans. Lest  all  this  should  be  regarded  as  the  exaggera- 
tion of  a  disordered  intellect,  he  represented  his  situa- 
tion, at  the  moment  of  the  surrender,  as  most  deplorable. 
In  consequence  of  the  absence  of  colonels  Cass  and 
M'Arthur,  he  could  not  bring  more  than  six  hundred  men 
into  the  field,  and  he  was  moreover,  destitute  of  all  neces- 
sary supplies  and  munitions  of  w^ar:  whereas  by  the  morn- 
ing's report,  his  force  exceeded  a  thousand  men  fit  for 
duty,  besides  the  detachment,  which  might  be  expected 
to  arrive  about  the  time  of  the  engagement;  and  also  three 
hundred  Michigan  militia,  who  were  out  on  duty,  wliich 
would  make  his  force  upwards  of  sixteen  hundred  men. 
This  force  was  much  superior  to  that  of  the  Biitish,  which 
consisted  of  about  seven  hundred  regulars,  one  half  of 
which  was  nothing  more  than  militia  dressed  in  uniform, 
for  the  purpose  of  deception,  and  about  six  hundred  In- 
dians.    Everv  other  part  of  his  statement  was  proved,  bv 

4* 


u 


42 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I'll 


the  officers  under  his  command,  to  have  been  false  or  ex 
aggerated.  The  most  ordinary  exertion  would  have  suf- 
ficed, to  have  completely  destroyed  the  British  force. 
He  declared,  that  he  was  actuated  by  a  desire  to  spare  the 
eifusion  of  human  blood!  If  he  had  designedly  intended  the 
destruction  of  his  fellow-citizens,  he  could  not  have  fallen 
upon  a  more  effectual  plan;  for  by  thus  opening  the  fron- 
tier to  the  tomahawk  oi  the  savage,  and  giving  reasons  to 
our  enemy  for  representing  us  as  contemptible  in  arms, 
he  invited  those  very  savages,  which  he  so  much  dreaded, 
to  throw  off  every  restraint,  and  declare  themselves  our 
foes.  He  miglit  have  fore&een,  that  a  considerable  force 
would  be  sent  by  the  British,  for  the  purpose  of  retaining 
this  province,  and  that  our  country  would  be  compelled 
to  suffer  an  i?nmense  expense  of  blood  and  treasure,  before 
our  possessions  here  could  be  regained.  Although  this 
became  the  field  of  glory,  where  many  of  our  countrymen 
gained  imperisliable  renown,  yet  the  effect  of  this  lament- 
able occurrence,  was  visible  in  every  subsequent  trans- 
action of  the  war,  on  the  borders  of  Canada. 

The  sensations  produced  by  it,  throughout  the  United 
States,  and  particularly  in  the  Western  country,  can 
scarcelj'^  be  described.  At  first  no  one  could  believe  an 
event  so  extraordinary  and  unexpected;  the  publick  mind 
was  so  entirely  unprepared  for  it,  that  universal  astonish- 
ment was  excited.  Whatever  doubts  might  have  been 
entertained,  of  his  being  able  to  subdue  the  country  which 
he  had  invaded,  there  were  none  of  his  being  able  to  de- 
fend himself.  Never  was  any  people  more  deeply  and 
universally  chagrined  by  this  event;  in  a  country,  too, 
where  every  man  has  a  personal  feeling  for  the  honour 
and  welfare  of  the  nation,  and  where  the  strongest  sym- 
pathy would  be  felt  with  the  friends  and  families  of  the 
brave  soldiers,  who  had  been  thus  wretchedly  surrender- 
ed by  their  commander. 

The  general  was  afterwards  exchanged  for  thirty  Bri- 
tish prisoners.  Neither  ihe  government  nor  the  people 
were  satisfied  with  his  excuses.  The  affair  was  solemnly 
investigated  by  a  court  martial.  He  was  charged  with 
treason,  cowardice,  and  unoflicer-like  conduct.  On  the 
first  charge,  the  court  declined  giving  an  opinion;  on  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


45 


two  last  he  was  sentenced  to  death;  but  was  recommend- 
ed to  mercy  in  consequence  of  his  revolutionary  services, 
and  his  advanced  age.  The  sentence  was  remitted  by 
the  president;  but  his  name  was  ordered  to  be  struck  from 
the  rolls  of  the  army. 


CHAPTER  II. 

\^aval  Events— Ciniise  of  Commodore  Rogers-— The  President  chases 
the  IJelvidei-a — The  Constitution  captures  the  Guerr:ei'e— Ca]»tain 
Porter  captures  the  Alert — Cruise  of  the  Presick^nt — United  Statea 
captures  the  Macedonian— The  Wasp  captures  the  Frolick — l*riva- 
(eei*s — Sensations  excited  in  England. 

1  HE  common  observation,  that  evils  do  not  come  alone 
but  witli  others  linked  in  their  train,  was  never  more 
completely  refuted,  than  at  the  period  of  the  misfortunes 
of  our  arms  in  the  west.  The  nation,  overspread  with 
gloom,  in  consequence  of  this  unexpected  disaster,  was 
suddenly  consoled  in  the  most  pleasmg  manner.  A  new 
and  t^lorious  era  burst  upon  our  country,  and  upon  the 
world.  The  historian  will  record  with  wonder,  the  sin- 
gular fact,  that  the  same  year  which  saw  prostrated  the 
despot  of  the  land,  also  beheld  the  pride  ot  the  tyrant  of 
the  ocean  completely  humbled.  A  series  of  the  most 
brilliant  and  wonderful  exploits,  on  that  element,  at 
once  raised  our  naval  renown,  to  a  height  which  no  other 
had  ever  attained,  and  which  excited  the  astonishment 
and  admiration  of  Europe. 

At  the  moment  of  the  declaration  of  war,  a  squadron 
under  commodore  Rogers,  had  rendezvoused  under  the 
orders  of  the  government,  oif  Sandy  Hook,  consisting  of 
the  frigates  President,  Congress,  United  States,  and  the 
brig  Hornet.  On  the  21st  of  June  they  put  to  sea,  in  pur- 
suit of  a  British  squadron,  which  had  sailed  as  the  con- 
voy of  the  West  India  fleet,  the  preceding  month. 
While  thus  engaged,  the  British  frigate  Belvidera  was 
discovered,  to  which  they  instantly  gave  chase.    The 


'I  i\ 


SWI?S!"«a,iVi-.t 


44 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


mi 


chase  was  continued  from  early  in  the  morning  until 
past  four  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  President,  outsailing 
the  other  vessels,  had  come  within  gun  shot,  she  opened 
a  fire  with  her  bow  guns,  intending  to  cripple  the  lielvi- 
dera,  which  returned  it  with  her  stern  chasers.  The  fir- 
ing was  kept  up  for  ten  minutes,  when  one  of  the  guns  of 
the  President  burst,  killed  and  wounded  sixteen  men,  and 
fractured  the  leg  of  the  commodore.  By  this  accident, 
and  the  explosion  of  the  passing  box,  the  decks  were  so 
much  shattered,  as  to  render  the  guns  on  that  side  useless. 
The  ship  was  then  put  about,  and  a  broadside  fired,  but 
without  the  desired  effect,  though  considerable  injury  was 
done  the  Belvidera.  This  vessel  having  thrown  over- 
board every  thing  she  could  spare,  now  gained  ground. 
The  chase  was  continued  until  eleven  o'clock  at  night, 
before  it  was  leemed  hopeless.  The  squadron  then  con- 
tinued in  pursuit  of  the  convoy,  which  it  did  not  give 
over  until  within  sij  t  of  the  British  channel:  then  stood 
for  the  island  of  Maderia,  and  thence  passing  the  Azores, 
stood  for  Newfoundland,  and  thence  by  Cape  Sable,  ar- 
rived at  Boston  the  30th  of  August,  having  made  prize 
of  several  British  vessels;  but  owin^  to  the  haziness  of 
the  weather,  they  were  less  successml  than  might  have 
been  expected. 

The  frigate  Essex  went  to  sea  from  New-York,  on  the 
third  of  July;  the  Constitution  sailed  from  the  Chesapeake 
on  the  twelfth;  the  brigs  Nautilus,  Viper  and  Vixen,  were 
at  the  same  time  cruising  off  the  coast;  the  sloop  of  war 
Wasp  was  at  sea  on  her  return  from  France. 

The  Constitution,  captain  Hull,  had  sailed  from  An- 
napolis on  the  5th  of  July.  On  the  morning  of  the  ITth, 
off  Egg  Harbour,  she  was  chased  by  a  ship  of  the  line,  the 
Africa,  and  the  frigates  Shannon,  Guerriere,  Belvidera, 
and  JEolus.  These  vessels  were  approaching  rapidly, 
with  a  fine  breeze,  while  it  was  nearly  a  calm  about  the 
Constitution.  At  sunrise  the  next  morning,  escape  from 
the  enemy  was  almost  hopeless,  as  they  were  then  within 
five  miles.  The  Constitution  was  therefore  cleared  for 
action,  determined  to  make  a  desperate  resistance.  The 
enemy  still  drawing  near,  captain  Hull  resolved  to  make 
another  effort  to  escape.    Boats  were  sent  ahead,  widi 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR^ 


45 


anchors  for  the  purpose  of  warping,  there  prevailinj^  al- 
most a  calm.  The  others  finding  the  Constitution  gain- 
in"  upon  them,  resorted  to  the  same  expedient.  The 
chase  continuecl  in  this  manner  for  two  da3^s,  partly  sail- 
ina;  with  liglit  breezes,  and  partly  warping,  until  the  20th, 
when  the  squadron  was  left  entirely  out  of  sight.  This 
escape  from  so  j>;''eat  a  disparity  of  force,  was  considered 
as  deserving  a  high  rank  in  naval  exploits,  and  was  much 
admired  at  the  time,  as  evincing  superior  nautical  skill. 
Tlie  advantage  to  the  British  in  this  chase,  was  consider- 
able, when  we  reflect  that  their  foremost  vessel  had  the 
assistance  of  all  the  boats  of  the  squadron,  for  the  purpose 
of  towing.  The  superiority  of  captain  Hull,  was  that  of 
seamanship  alone.  This  superiority  was  sometimes  after- 
wards proved  in  a  most  remarkable  manner:  while  naval 
history  lasts  it  will  not  be  forgotten. 

The  Constitution  again  put  to  sea,  on  the  second  of 
September.  On  the  nineteenth,  a  vessel  hove  in  sight, 
and  a  chase  instantly  commenced.  It  was  soon  discovr 
cred  to  be  ^he  Guerriere,  one  of  the  best  frigates  in  the 
British  navy;  and  which  seemed  not  averse  from  the  ren- 
contre, as  she  backed  her  main  topsail,  waiting  for  the 
Constitution  to  come  down.  This  was  a  most  desirable 
occurrence  to  our  brave  tars,  as  this  frigate  had  for  some 
time  been  in  search  of  an  American  frigate,  having  given 
a  formal  challenge  to  all  our  vessels  of  the  same  class. 
She  had  at  one  of  her  mast  heads  a  flag,  on  which  her 
name  was  inscribed  in  large  characters,  by  way  of  gas- 
conade, and  on  another,  the  words,  "not  the  Little  Belt," 
in  allusion  to  the  broadsides  which  the  President  had 
given  that  vessel,  before  the  war.  The  Guerriere  had 
looked  into  several  of  our  ports,  and  affected  to  be  ex- 
ceedingly anxious  to  earn  the  first  laurel  from  the  new 
enemy.  The  Constitution  being  made  ready  for  action, 
now  bore  down,  her  crew  giving  three  cheers.  At  first  it 
was  the  intention  of  captain  Hull,  to  bring  her  to  close 
action  immediately;  but  on  coming  within  gun-shot,  she 
gave  a  broadside  and  filled  awayi  then  wore,  giving  a 
broadside  on  the  other  tack,  but  without  effect.  They 
now  continued  wearing,  and  manceuvring,  on  both  sides, 
for  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  the  Guerriere  attempting 


i 


KM 


V  '^\^r  li 


/    ^^1 


46 


HISTORY  OF  THE  AVAR. 


io  take  a  rakinp:  position:  but  failing  in  this,  she  bore  up, 
under  her  topsail  and  jib.  The  Constitution  perceivinj^ 
tliis,  made  sail  to  come  up  with  her.  Captain  Hull,,  with 
admirable  coolness,  received  the  enemy's  fire,  without 
returning  it.  The  enemy,  mistaking  this  conduct  on  the 
part  of  the  American  commander,  for  want  of  skill,  con- 
tinued to  pour  out  his  broadsides  with  a  view  to  cripple 
his  antagonist.  From  the  Constitution,  not  a  gun  had 
been  fired.  Already  had  an  officer  twice  come  on  deck, 
with  information  that  several  of  the  men  had  been  killed 
at  their  guns.  The  gallant  crew,  though  burning  with  impa- 
tience, silently  awaited  the  orders  of  their  commander. 
The  moment  so  long  looked  for,at  last  arrived.  Sailing  mas- 
ter Ayl  win,  having  seconded  the  views  of  the  captain,  with 
admirable  skilj,  in  bringing  the  vessel  exactly  to  the  sta- 
tion intended,  orders  were  given  at  five  minutes  before 
five,  P.M.  to  fire  broadside  after  broadside,  in  quick  suc- 
cession. The  crew  instantly  discovered  the  whole  plan, 
and  entered  into  it,  with  all  the  spirit  the  circumstance 
was  calculated  to  inspire.  Never  was  any  firing  so 
dreadful.  For  fifteen  minutes  the  vivid  lightning  of  the 
Constitution's  guns  continued  one  blaze,  and  their  thun- 
der roared  with  scarce  an  intermission.  The  enemy's 
mizen-mast  had  gone  by  the  board,  and  he  stood  exposed 
to  a  raking  fire,  which  swept  his  decks.  The  Guerriere 
had  now  become  unmanageable;  her  hull,  rigging  and 
sails  dreadfully  torn;  when  the  Constitution  attempted  to 
lay  her  on  board.  At  this  moment  lieutenant  Bush,  in 
attempting  to  throw  his  marines  on  board,  was  killed  by 
a  musket  ball,  and  the  enemy  shot  ij.head,  but  could  not 
be  brought  betbre  the  wind.  A  raking  lire  now  contin- 
ued for  fifteen  minutes  longer,  when  his  mainmast  and 
foremast  went,  taking  with  them  every  spar,  excepting 
the  bowsprit.  On  seeing  this,  the  firing  ceased,  and  at 
twenty-five  minutes  past  five  she  surrendered.  "h\  thir- 
ty minutes,"  says  captain  Hull,  "after  we  got  fairly  along 
side  of  the  enemy,  she  surrendered,  and  had  not  a  spar 
standing,  and  her  hull,  above  and  below  water,  so  shatter- 
ed, that  a  few  more  broadsides  must  have  carried  her 
down."  The  Guerriere  was  so  much  damaged,  as  to 
render  it  impossible  to  bring  her  inf  she  was  therefore  set 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


47 


fire  to  the  next  day,  and  blown  up.  The  damai^e  sustain- 
ed by  tl»e  Constitution,  was  comparatively  of  so  little 
consequence,  that  she  actually  made  ready  for  action, 
uhen  a  vessel  appeared  in  si^^ht  the  noxt  day.  The  loss 
on  board  the  Guerriere  was  fifteen  killed  and  sixty-tJnee 
wounded;  on  the  side  of  the  (Constitution,  seven  killed  and 
seven  wounded.  It  is  pleasing  to  observe,  that  even  the 
J3ritish  commander,  on  this  occasion,  boie  testimony  to 
the  humanity  and  generosity,  with  which  he  was  treated 
by  the  victors.  The  American  frigate  was  somewhat 
superior  in  force,  by  a  few  guns,  but  this  difference  bore 
no  comparison  to  the  disparity  of  the  conflict.  The 
Guerriere  was  thought  to  be  a  match  for  any  vessel  of  her 
class,  and  had  been  ranked  amongst  the  largest  in  the 
British  navy.  The  Constitution  arrived  at  Boston  on  the 
twenty-eighth  of  August,  having  captured  several  mer- 
cluant  vessels. 

This  glorious  event,  as  may  well  be  conceived,  spread 
the  most  unbounded  joy  over  the  whole  country.  Th'i 
gallant  Hull,  and  his  equally  gallant  officers,  were  receiv- 
ed with  enthusiastick  demonstrations  of  gratitude,  where- 
cver  they  appeared  .He  was  presented  with  the  freedom 
of  all  the  cities,  through  whicli  he  passed,  on  his  way  to 
the  seat  of  government,  and  with  many  valuable  donations. 
Congress  voted  fifty  thousand  dollars  to  the  crew,  as  a 
recompense  for  the  ios3  of  the  prize,  and  the  executive 
promoted  several  of  the  officers.  Sailing  master  Aylwin,* 
who  had  been  severely  wounded,  was  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  lieutenant,  and  lieutenant  Morris,  who  had  been 
also  w  ounded,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  post  captain. 
This  affair  was  not  less  mortifying  to  Great  Britain,  who 
for  thirty  years,  had  in  no  instance  lost  a  frigate  in  any 
thing  like  an  equal  conflict. 

The  publick  mind  was  now  continually  excited  bv  some 
new  series  of  naval  exploits.  There  was  scarcely  time 
for  one  victory  to  become  familiar,  before  another  was 
announced.  On  the  7th  of  September,  commodore  Por- 
ter of  the  Essex,  entered  the  Delaware  after  a  most  active 
and  successful  cruise.  He  had  sailed  from  New-York  on 
the  third  of  July,  and  shortly  after  fell  in  with  a  ileet  of 
merchantmen  under  convoy  of  a  frigate:     Having  kept 


' .  a 


:.    -A  i 


;'!^;i'^     4 


'  1  .'' 


;#! 


48 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


il 


.11,; 


at  a  distance  until  night,  she  cut  off  a  brig,  tvith  a  hun- 
dred and  fifty  soldiers  on  board,  which  was  ransomed  for 
14,000  dollars;  the  men  were  disarmed  and  released,  on 
taking  an  oath  not  to  serve  against  us  during  the  war. 
The  commodore  regretted,  in  his  letter  to  the  secretary  ot 
the  navy,  that  he  had  not  had  with  him  a  sloop  of  war,  as 
in  this  case  he  could  have  eni^aged  the  frigate,  while  the 
convoy  were  kept  employed,  and  he  could  then  have  cap- 
tured the  whole  fleet,  consisting  of  several  sail,  and  hav- 
ing two  thousand  men  on  board,  including  the  crew  and 
transports.  On  the  1 3th  of  August,  the  Essex  fell  in  with 
the  Alert  sloop  of  war,  and  captured  her,  after  an  action 
of  eight  minutes;  the  Alert  had  mistaken  this  frigate  for 
the  Hornet,  of  which  she  was  in  pursuit,  and  actually 
commenced  the  engagement,  by  running  down  and  pour- 
ing a  broadside  into  the  Essex.  When  she  struck  her 
colours  but  three  men  were  wounded,  but  she  had  seven 
feet  of  water  in  her  hold.  The  frigate  did  not  suffer  the 
slightest  injury.  Com.  Porter  being  embarrassed  with  his 
prisoners,  who  exceeded  five  hundred  in  number,  conclud- 
ed to  convert  the  Alert  into  a  cartel,  for  the  purpose  of  ef- 
fecting an  exchange.  Her  guns  were  thrown  overboard, 
and  she  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  St.  John's,  under  the 
command  of  a  lieutenant  of  the  Essex.  The  British  com- 
mander at  that  place  protested  strongly  against  the  prac- 
tice of  converting  captured  vessels  into  cartels,  but  in  this 
instance  was  willing,  in  consequence  of  the  attention 
which  commodore  Porter  had  uniformly  shewn  to  British 
prisoners,  to  consent  to  the  proposed  exchange.  On  the 
afternoon  of  the  30th  of  August,  a  British  frigate  was  seen 
standing  towards  the  Essex;  preparation  was  immediately 
made  lor  action,  and  she  stood  towards  the  enemy. 
Night  intervening,  the  Essex  hoisted  lights  to  prevent  a 
separation,  which  were  answered.  But  at  daylight,  to  the 
mortification  of  the  crew,  who  were  anxious  to  support  the 
cause  of  "Free  trade  and  sailors*  rights,"  the  enemy  dis- 
appeared. On  the  4th  of  September,  near  St  George's 
banks,  two  ships  of  war  were  seen  to  the  southward,  and  a 
brig  to  the  northward,  to  which  the  Essex  gave  chase,  but 
the  winds  being  light,  she  made  her  escape.    The  Essex 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


49 


was  afterwards  chased  by  the  two  shins  seen  to  the  south- 
wanl,  but  escaped  in  the  nij^ht  by  skilful  nianceuvrinj^. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  a  squadron,  consisrmg  of  the 
President,  the  United  States,  Conj^ress,  and  tlie  Ar«.^us» 
sailed  from  Boston  on  a  cruis':.  On  the  13th,  the  United 
States  and  Arj^us,  parted  from  the  rest  in  a  gale  of  vind. 
A  few  days  attcrwards,  the  President  and  Congress  had 
tho  good  fortune  to  capture  the  British  packet  Swallow, 
with  200,000  dollars  on  board,  and  on  the  3()th  of  Decem- 
ber arrived  at  Boston,  after  a  very  successful  cruise. 

The  Argus  was  not  less  fortunate;  after  parting  from 
the  squadron,  she  cruised  in  every  direction,  between  the 
continent  and  the  West-Indies,  and  after  being  out  nine- 
ty-six days,  she  returned  to  New-York,  with  prizes  to 
the  amount  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars.  She  made 
vafious  hairbreadth  escapes;  at  one  time  she  was  chased 
by  a  British  squadron  for  three  days,  and  several  times 
almost  surrounded;  she  was  one  moment  within  pistol 
shot  of  a  seventy-four  and  yet  in  the  midst  of  all  this  peril, 
!§he  actually  captured  and  manned  one  of  her  prizes. 

The  United  States,  commanded  by  that  distinguished 
officer  commodore  Decatur,  soon  after  her  separation 
from  tlie  squadron,  h«id  the  good  fortune  to  add  another 
victory  to  our  Naval  Cronicle,  not  less  glorious  than  that 
of  the  Constitution.  On  the  25th  of  October,  off  the 
Western  Islands,  she  fell  in  with  the  Macedonian,  captain 
Garden,  a  frigate  of  the  largest  class,  carrying  49  guns 
and  300  men,  The  Macedonian,  being  to  windward,  she 
had  it  in  her  power  to  choose  her  distance,  and  at  no  time 
were  they  nearer  than  musket  shot;  from  this  circum- 
stance, and  the  prevalence  of  a  keavy  sea,  the  action  last- 
ed nearly  two  hours.  The  superiority  of  the  American 
gunnery,  in  this  action,  was  very  remarkable,  both  for  its 
greater  rapidity  and  eftect.  From  the  continued  blaze  of 
her  guns,  the  United  States  was,  at  one  moment,  thought 
by  her  antagonist  to  be  on  fire;  a  mistake  of  very  short 
duration.  On  board  the  Macedonian  tb  ri  were  36  kil- 
led and  68  wounded.  She  lost  her  mainmast,  her  main- 
topmast,  and  main  yard,  and  was  much  cut  up  in  her  hull. 
The  United  States  suffered  so  little,  that  a  return  to  port 
was  not  necessary:  she  hai}  only  five  kil  ted,  and  seven 

5 


»'  ". 


>     .  1 


it 


HIsroRY  OF  THE  WAR. 


H 


I    r 


NvouikUhI.  Among  the  killed  were  lieufeiiant  Funk,  ol 
whom  tlie  commonore  spoke  in  the  highest  terms.  Lieu- 
tenant Allen  was  on  this  occasion  highly  anplauded.  The 
connnodore  arrived  at  New-York  on  the  4tn  of  December, 
with  his  prize.  Commodore  Decatur,  already  a  universal 
favourite,  experienced  the  same  demonstrations  of  grati- 
tude, as  were  shown  to  captain  Hull;  nor  was  there  de- 
nied him  that  new  species  of  praise,  which  the  generous 
conduct  of  our  heroick  seamen  has  uniformly  drawn  forth, 
the  praise  of  the  enemy;  all  the  private  property  belong- 
ing to  the  men  and  officers  on  board  the  Macedonian,  was 
restored  to  the  captured,  with  the  most  rigid  exactitude; 
and  their  treatment  was  the  most  polite  and  humane. 

An  act  of  generosity  and  benevolence  on  the  part  of 
our  brave  tars,  of  the  victorious  frigate,  deserves  to  be 
honourably  recorded.  The  carpenter,  who  was  unfortu- 
nately killed  in  the  conflict  with  the  Macedonian,  had 
left  three  small  children  to  the  care  of  a  worthless  mother. 
When  the  circumstance  became  known  to  the  brave  sea- 
men, they  instantly  made  a  contribution  amongst  them- 
selves, to  the  amount  of  eight  hundred  dollars,  and  plac- 
ed it  in  safe  hands,  to  be  appropriated  to  the  education 
and  maintenance  of  the  unhappy  orphans. 

Tlie  feelings  of  the  nation  nad  scarcely  time  to  subside, 
when  the  welcome  news  of  another  victory  was  received; 
a  victory  over  an  enemy  most  decidedly  superior  in  force, 
and  under  circumstances  the  most  favourable  to  him. 
This  was  the  capture  of  the  brig  Frolick,  of  22  guns,  by 
the  sloop  of  war  Wasp.  Captain  Jones  had  returned 
from  France,  two  weeks  after  the  declaration  of  war,  and 
on  the  13th  of  October  again  put  to  sea.  On  the  16th  he 
experienced  a  heavygale,  in  which  the  Wasp  lost  her  jib- 
boom  and  two  men.  (hi  the  evening  of  the  following  t!ay, 
the  W\asp  found  herself  near  five  strange  sail,  and  as  two 
of  them  appeared  to  be  ships  of  war,  it  was  thought  proper 
to  keep  at  a  distance.  At  day-light  on  Sunday  morning, 
they  were  discovered  to  be  six  merchant  ships,  from  Hon- 
duras to  Ena;land,  under  a  strong  convoy  of  a  brig  and 
two  t  hips,  armed  with  sixteen  guns  each.  The  brig,  wlucli 
)roved  to  be  the  Frolick,  capt.  Whinyates,  dropped  be- 
lind,  while  the  others  made  sail.    The  Wasp, being  pre- 


f 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


51 


pared  for  action,  at  32  min.  past  1 1  o'clock,  came  down  to 
windward  in  handsome  style,  when  the  action  was  be«;im 
by  the  enemy's  cannon  and  mus!:etrv.  This  was  return- 
ed, and  approaching  still  nearer  the  enemy,  brought  her 
to  close  action.  In  five  minutes  tlie  maiiitopmast  of  the 
Wasp  was  shot  away,  and  falling  down  wi<h  the  maintop- 
sail  yard  across  the  larboard  fore  and  forctopsail,  render- 
ed her  head  yards  unmanageable  during  the  rest  of  the 
action.  In  two  minutes  more  her  gaft  and  mi/en  top- 
gallant mast  were  shot  away.  Tlie  sea  being  exceeding- 
ly rough,  the  muzzles  of  the  Wasp's  guns  were  sometimes 
under  water.  The  English  fired  as  tlieir  vessel  rose,  so 
that  their  shot  was  either  thrown  away,  or  touched  the 
rigging  of  the  Americans;  the  Wasp,  on  the  contrary,  fir- 
ed as  she  sunk:  and  every  time  struck  the  huli  of  her  an- 
tagonist. The  W^asp  now  shot  ahead,  raked  her,  and 
then  resumed  her  position.  The  Frolick's  fire  had  evident- 
ly slackened,  ami  the  Wasp,  gradually  neared  her,  until 
in  the  last  broadside,  ihey  touched  her  side  with  their 
rammers.  It  was  now  determined  to  lay  her  by  the  board. 
The  jib-boom  of  the  Frolick  came  in  between  the  main 
and  mizen  mast  rigging  of  the  Wasp,  and  after  giving  a 
vaklhgfir6,  which  gwp.nt  the  whole  (leek,  they  re«i"lvpd  t.» 
board.  Lieutenant  Biddle  sprang  on  the  rigging  of  the 
enemy's  bowsprit,  where  he  was  at  first  somewhat  entan- 
gled, and  midshipman  Barker,  in  his  impatience  to  be  on 
board,  caught  hold  of  Kiddie's  coat,  and  fell  back  on  the 
deck,  but  m  a  moment  sprang  up  and  leaped  on  the  bow- 
sprit, where  he  found  one  Lang  and  another  seaman.  His 
surprise  can  scarcely  he  imagined,  when  he  found  no  per- 
son on  deck,  except  three  ofiicers  and  the  seaman  at  the 
wheel.  The  deck  was  slippery  with  blood,  and  present- 
ed a  scene  of  havock  and  ruin,  such  as  has  been  seldom 
witnessed.  As  he  advanced  the  officers  threw  down  their 
swords  in  submission.  The  colours  were  still  flying,  there 
beinw  no  seaman  left  to  pull  them  down.  Lieutenant 
Biddle  leaped  into  the  rigging,  and  hauled  them  down 
with  his  own  hands.  Thus,  in  forty-three  minutes,  com- 
plete possession  was  taken  of  the  Frolick,  after  one  of  the 
most  bloody  conflicts  any  where  recorded  in  naval  his- 
fQry.    The  condition  of  this  unfortunate  vessel,  was  in^- 


i'      "•■I 


iS,i 


«'.,••* 


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i 


■}2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


prcssibly  shocking.  The  birth  deck  was  crowded  vvitji 
the  dead,  the  d}'ing  and  the  wounded;  and  the  masts, 
which  soon  after  fell,  covering  the  dead  and  every  thing 
on  deck,  leaving  lier  a  most  melancholy  wreck.  Captain 
Jones  sent  on  board  his  surgeon,  and  humanely  exerted 
himself  in  their  relief,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power.  The 
loss  on  ooard  the  Frolick  was  thirty  killed  and  fifty 
wounded;  on  boaid  the  Wasp,  five  killed,  and  five  slight- 
ly wounded.  This  was  certainly  the  most  decisive  ao- 
ilon  fought  durins;  the  war.  The  Wasp  and  Frolick  were 
both  captured  that  very  day  by  a  British  seventy-four,  the 
Poictiers  captain  Beresford. 

Captain  Jones  spoke  of  all  his  officers  and  men  in 
handso  le  terms;  but  the  noMe  part  which  he  bore  in  this 
celebrated  combat,  was  touched  upon  with  all  that  mo- 
desty, for  which  our  naval  heroes  have  been  so  justly  ad- 
mired. Lieutenant  Booth,  Mr.  Rapp,  and  midshipmen 
Grant  and  Baker,  were  particularly  distinguished.  Lieu- 
fenant  Claxton,  although  too  unwell  to  render  any  assis- 
tance, crawled  out  of  bed,  and  came  on  deck,  that  he 
might  witness  the  courage  of  his  comrades.  A  seaman 
of  the  :ianie  of  Jack  Lang,  from  Chester  county,  Penn- 
sylvaniu;  a  brav5  fellow,  who  had  been  twice  Impressed 
by  the  B^^Itish,  behaved,  on  this  occasion,  with  unusual 
bravery.  Captain  Junes  reached  New  York  towards  the 
latter  end  of  November.  The  legislatures  of  Massachu- 
(ietts,  New-York,  and  Delaware,  of  wliich  state  he  was  a 
native,  |>resented  him  with  their  thanks,  and  several  ele- 
gant swords  and  pieces  of  plate;  and  the  congress  ?f  the 
United  States  voted  him,  his  officers,  and  crew,  iil5,()00 
dollars,  as  a  recompense  for  their  loss,  in  not  being  able 
to  bring  in  the  Frolick.  lie  was  soon  after  promoted  to 
the  command  of  the  Macedonian,  captured  by  commodore 
Decatur. 

Feats  of  naval  prowess  were  not  confined  to  national 
vessels;  the  exploits  of  private  armed  vessels  daily  filled 
the  gazettes.  Letters  of  marnue  were  issued  sooh  after 
the  declaration  of  war,  and  privateers  sailed  from  every 
port,  to  annoy  and  distress  the  enemy's  commerce.  They 
were  generally  constructed  for  swift  sailiiur,  an  nrt  in 
which  th«  Americaus  excel  every  other  people,    lu  their 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


.).) 


contests,  they  exhibited  the  same  suijeriority  over  the 
vessels  of  the  enemy,  as  was  shown  with  respect  to  the 
ships  of  war.  One  of  the  first  to  sail  was  the  Atlas,  com- 
manded by  captain  Moffat.  On  the  third  of  August,  he 
fell  in  with  two  armed  ships,  and  after  a  severe  action, 
captured  them  both,  but  was  not  able  to  bring  more 
than  one  of  them  into  port. 

The  Dolphin,  captain  Endicot,  of  Salem,  in  the  course 
of  a  few  weeks,  captured  fifteen  of  the  enemy's  vessels, 
and  for  his  activity  and  courage  soor  became  noted.  He 
had  the  misfortune  to  be  captured  by  a  sciuadron,  under 
commodore  Broke,  and  in  consequence  or  the  prejudice 
entertained  against  privateers,  and  the  irritation  which 
his  exploits  had  excited,  he  was  treated  somewhat  rougli- 
\y;  this  conduct,  to  the  honour  of  the  British  officers, 
was  soon  changed,  when  they  were  informed,  by  the  pri- 
soners, of  the  humanity  of  his  conduct.  On  one  occasion, 
there  happened  to  be  on  board  one  of  the  Dolphin's 
prizes,  an  old  woman,  who  had  her  whole  fortune  on 
board,  consisting  of  800  dollars;  she  made  a  lamentable 
outcry  at  her  misfortune;  but  the  fact  was  no  sooner 
known  to  the  sailors,  than  th^y  spontaneously  agreed  not 
to  touch  her  pittance;  and  on  arriving  in  the  United 
States,  she  felt  so  much  gratitude,  that  she  could  not  re- 
frain from  giving  publicity  to  it,  in  the  newspapers.  It 
soon  became  understood,  that  American  privateers  were- 
under  the  same  regulations  as  national  vessels,  a  circum- 
stance in  which  they  differed  from  those  of  other  nations; 
that  in  fact,  private  cupidity  was  not  the  sole  motive  in 
arming  them,  but  that  they  constituted  a  part  of  our  mode 
of  carrying  on  the  war,  by  assailing  the  enemy  in  his  most 
vulnerable  part;  and  that  the  gallantry  displayed  on 
board  these  vessels,  bestowed  almost  as  much  nonour  on 
the  actor,  as  those  of  a  publick  character;  there  were, 
therefore,  the  same  inducements  to  correctness  of  deport- 
ment. It  cannot  be  denied,  however,  that  on  some  occa- 
sions during  the  war,  the  captured  privateersmen  were 
treated  with  a  degree  of  harshness,  and  even  cruelty, 
which  nothing  can  justify. 

Early  in  the  war,"  ohe  of  our  oldest  and  most  distin- 
;5uishcd  naval  heroes,  but  who  had,  for  many  years,  led  . 
5* 


;tii-  -iv:: 


"  I 


34 


mSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


i; 


:.!    1 


a  private  life,  entered  this  service.  Commodore  Barney 
sailed  from  Baltimore  in  the  Rossie,  and,  in  the  course  of 
a  few  months,  did  more  havock  in  the  British  commerce, 
than  was  ^xperieticed  from  the  French  cruisers  for  years. 
The  fame  oi  this  gallant  officer  was  already  well  known 
to  the  enemy,  particularly  as  the  captoi*  of  one  of  their 
vessels  of  war  of  superiour  force,  the  Monk,  during  the 
revolution. 

Such  was  the  glorious  beginning  of  our  naval  warfare 
against  Great  Britain.  In  the  course  of  a  few  months, 
two  of  her  finest  frigates  surrendered,  each  after  a  few 
minutes  fighting;  and  a  most  decided  victory  was  gained 
over  an  adversary  confessedly  superiour.  Before  the 
meeting  of  congress,  in  November,  nearly  two  hundred 
and  fifty  vessels  were  captured  from  tne  enemy,  and 
more  than  three  thousand  prisoners  taken.  Upwards  of 
fifty  of  them  were  armed  vessels,  and  carrying  five  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  guns.  To  counterbalance  this 
immense  loss,  the  enemy  had  but  a  small  account.  By 
the  cruise  of  commodore  Rogers,  our  merchantmen  had 
been  much  aided  in  getting  into  port,  and  the  number 
captured  was  but  trifling  compared  to  theirs.  The  Fro- 
lick  and  Wasp,  we  have  seen,  were  captured  in  a  way  to 
give  no  credit  to  the  captors.  Two  other  smaller  vessels 
were  also  captured  by  squadrons;  the  first,  on  the  twen- 
tieth of  July,  the  schooner  Nautilius,  of  twelve  ^uns, 
commanded  by  lieutenant  Crane,  captured  by  the  frigate 
Shannon,  the  leading  ship  of  the  squadron.  The  Vixen 
was  captured  the  twenty-second  of  November,  by  the 
"Northampton  frigate,  sir  James  Yoe.  Not  long  after  the 
capture,  both  vessels  ran  ashore,  and  were  wrecked. 
Through  the  exertions  of  captain  Reed,  of  the  Vixen,  much 
of  the  property  was  saved  from  the  wreck;  and,  in  con- 
sequence of  his  services  on  the  occasion,  he  was  pub- 
lickly  thanked  by  sir  James,  and  permission  given  to 
him  to  return  home  on  his  parol.  This  he  generously 
declined,  as  he  could  not  think  of  receiving  any  benefits, 
in  which  his  officers  and  crew  could  not  partake.  He 
accordingly  accompanied  them  to  Nova  Scotia,  where  he 
fell  a  victim  to  the  climate.  He  was  interred  by  the 
^British  with  the  honours  of  war,  accompanied  with  eyerV 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


»3! 


demonstration  of  respect,  to  the  memory  of  a  brave  and 
gallant  officer. 

The  navy  now  became  the  favourite  of  the  nation;  for 
thus  far,  contrasted  with  our  armies,  it  was  entitled  to 
the  most  decided  preference.  There  were  not  wanting 
occasions  in  which  our  arms  by  land  had  acquired  repu- 
tation, but  they  had  also  brought  upon  us  dishonour;  on 
the  contrary,  the  navy,  in  every  instance,  had  added  to 
our  national  renown.  The  modesty  of  our  naval  com- 
manders, in  the  narratives  of  the  most  brilliant  achieve- 
ments, and  whirh  were  read  with  delight  in  every  cot- 
tage, and  spread  over  our  country  by  tne  means  of  our 
thousand  newspapers,  was  peculiarly  pleasing:  whereas 
the  proclamations  of  our  generals,  were  too  often  filled 
with  idle  fustion.  The  British  had  threatened  to  drive 
our  "bits  of  striped  bunting"  from  the  ocean,  and  we 
had  been  seriously  apprehensive  that  our  little  navy 
would  at  once  be  annihilated!  We,  however,  sought  con- 
solation for  this,  in  the  prospect  of  possessing  Canada, 
and  freeing  ourselves  from  troublesome  neighbours.  In 
both  instances  how  greatly  disappointed!  The  dispensa- 
tions of  Providence  are  better  than  the  wisdom  oi  men. 
The  mortification  of  Great  Britain  was  attended  with  no 
alleviation.  She  was  wounded  in  the  most  vital  part. 
In  vain  did  she  seek  consolation  in  endeavouring  to  nide 
her  m  ^fortune  from  herself,  by  representing  our  vessels, 
in  every  instance,  as  greatly  supenour  in  size,  and  having 
every  advantage  in  the  various  conflicts.  This  might  do 
with  respect  to  one  engagement,  but  the  same  cause  was 
insufficient  to  account  for  her  defeats  in  every  instance. 
The  American  frigates  were  seventy-fours  in  disguise, 
and  she  turned  her  seventy-fours  into  frigates,  that  she 
mi^ht  contend  on  equal  terms.  But  she  could  not  so 
easily  account  for  the  wonderful  superiority  in  the  ma- 
nagement of  the  ships,  and  in  gunnery.  She  set  on  foot 
committees  of  investigation;  and  the  result  was,  that 
by  some  unaccountable  neglect,  her  marine  had  degene- 
rated, and  it  was  seriously  recommended  to  her  navy 
board,  to  put  their  heroes  again  to  school,  that  they  might 
learn  to  cope  with  this  new,  this  subtle,  and  most  extra- 
Ordinary  enemy.     From  the  idle  boast  of  being  the 


„.,,Jr 


If 


t    ! 


56 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


SOVEREIGNS  OF  THE  SEAS,  a  claim,  as  vain  n»  that  to  the 
dominion  of  the  air  or  the  light,  and,  without  whose  per- 
mission not  a  sail  could  be  spread,  they  were  most  com- 
pletely humbled  by  one  of  the  youngest  maritime  states; 
actuated  by  ;io  ambition  of  conquest,  biit  merely  con- 
tending for  the  privilege  of  navigating  an  element,  de- 
signed by  the  Almighty  for  the  common  possession  of  the 
human  race. 


CHAPTER  in. 

GenefHl  Hannson  takes  command  of  the  Northwestern  army— «Expedi- 
tum  imder  ^neral  Winchestei^— General  Hopkins— Defence  of  Fort 
Havrison— ^Colonel  Campbell's  Expedition. 

The  publick  mind  had  by  this  time  recovered  from  the 
distress  and  chagrin  occasioned  by  the  surrender  of  Hull. 
A  spirit  was  roused,  which  produced  effects  not  equalled  by 
the  most  enthusiastick  periods  of  our  revolution.  To  the 
westward  and  to  the  southward,  volunteer  corps  were  form- 
ing in  every  quarter^  and  tendering  their  services  for  any 
enterprise  which  might  be  undertaken.  The  western  parts 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  exhibited  great  alacrity: 
but  it  was  in  the  states  of  Kentucky,  Ohio,  and  Tennes- 
see, that  this  generous  zeal  prevailed  in  the  higliest  de- 
gree. Civil  pursuits  were  almost  forsaken,  while  tlie 
prevailing  enthusiasm  was  shared  by  persons  of  every  sex, 
and  ever;;^  age.  The  ladies  set  themselves  to  work  in  pre- 
paring military  clothing  and  knapsacks  for  their  relatives 
and  friends,  and  cheerfully  contributed  from,  their  house- 
hold stock,  such  articles  as  their  soldiers  might  requii*e. 
Companies  were  equipped  in  a  single  day,  and  ready  to 
march  the  next.  There  prevailed  every  where,  the  most 
animated  scenes  of  preparation.  The  admiration  which 
this  excites,  is  not  lessened  by  the  reflection^  that  they 
were  but  acting  in  self-tlefence,  for  excepting  in  the  re- 
mote settlements,  and  merely  on  the  frontier,  there  was 


'mistm^.ai.. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


57 


hut  little  to  apprehend  from  the  Indians:  tlie  settlements 
having  become  so  considerable  in  the  western  states,  that 
it  would  be  impossible  for  the  enemy  to  penetrate  far. 
They  were  actuated  by  an  enthusiastick  love  of  country, 
a  generous  feeling,  which  could  not  brook  the  thought  of 
!  aving  been  worsted,  or  that  a  part  of  the  territory  of  the 
union  should  fall  by  conquest  into  the  hands  of  our  ene- 
my. The  military  ardour  which  was  now  awakened,  dis- 
played t'lie  character  of  a  free  people,  in  the  most  inte- 
resting point  of  view. 

Louisville  and  Newport  had  been  appointed  as  the 
places  of  rendezvous,  for  the  troops  destmed  to  the  aid 
of  Hull.  So  numerous  were  the  volunteers  from  Ken- 
tucky, who  offered  their  services  here,  that  it  was  soon 
founii  necessary  to  issue  orders  that  no  more  wjould  be 
received,  and  many  companies,  thus  disappointed,  were 
compelled  to  turn  back.  The  command  oi  the  Kentucky 
militia,  was  assigned  to  general  Payne.  The  same  ala- 
crity was  manifested  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  which,  in  the 
course  of  a  few  days,  embodied  an  equal  force  under  ge- 
neral Tupper.  The  Pennsvlvania  volunteers,  under 
p:eneral  Crooks,  were  marched  to  Erie,  aud  a  brigade  of  _ 
Virginians  under  general  Leftwitch,  wass  to  join  the  troops 
of  Ohio,  at  Urbanna.  The  Kentucky  troops,  together 
with  th**  seventeenth  United  States  r-pgiment,  under  colo- 
nel Wells,  the  greater  part  of  which  had  been  enlisted  in 
the  western  country  since  the  war,  were  destined  for  fort 
Wayne,  and  thence  for  the  Rapids,  which  was  appointed 
as  the  general  rendezvous.  Thus  in  a  few  weeks,  up- 
wards of  four  thousand  men  were  drawn  oat  from  their 
homes,  completely  equipped,  embodied,  and  ready  for  the 
field.  The  command  of^  this  army  was  given  to  major 
general  Harrison,  who  was  well  known  to  the  western 
people,  and  whose  recent  conduct  at  Tippecanoe  had  ren- 
dered him  popular  as  a  leader.  In  order  to  secure  him 
this  rank,  he  was  brevetted  by  the  governour  of  Kentucky, 
and  sometime  after  appointed  comiiiander-iii-chief  of  the 
northwestern  army  by  the  president. 

The  first  step  taken  by  Harrison,  was  to  relieve  the 
frontier  posts,  principally  fort  Harrison,  situated  on  the 
Wabaah,  and  fort  Wayne,  situated  on  the  Miami  of  (h* 


f 

■f 

•i 

f  ■ 


'V  : 


58' 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


ii'ii' 


Lakes,  and  on  the  road  to  the  Rapids.  It  might  be  ex- 
pected that  this  fort,  as  well  as  fort  Defiance,  situated 
lower  down,  would  be  attempted  by  the  British,  in  order 
to  obstruct  the  road  to  Detroit.  Harrison  arrived  at  this 
place  on  the  twelfth  of  September,  with  about  twenty-five 
hundred  men.  The  Indians  who  had  laid  siege  to  it, 
disappeared  on  his  approach.  It  had  been  invested  by  a 
considerable  body  of  them,  who  after  repeated  attacks, 
from  the  sixth  to  the  ninth,  in  which  they  resorted  to  every 
stratagcn),  and  several  times  attempted  to  take  it  by  as- 
sault, were  compelled  to  retire,  after  destroying  every 
thing  outside  the  fort.  The  garrison  consisted  of  no  more 
than  seventy  men. 

After  remaining  here  a  few  days,  general  Harrison,  not 
thinking  it  advisable  to  proceed  to  the  Rapids,  until  suf- 
ficiently strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  the  other  troops, 
resolved  to  occupy  the  intermediate  time  in  laying  waste 
the  Indian  country.  Colonel  Wells  was  despatclied  on 
the  fourteenth,  with  his  regiment,  and  that  under  the 
command  of  colonel  Scott,  together  with  two  hundred 
mounted  riflemen,  against  the  Puttawatomy  town  on  the. 
river  St.  Joseph,  v^lmh  discharges  itself  into  lake  Mlclii- 
gan.  The  other,  under  the  command  of  general  rayne, 
consisting  of  colonels  Lewis  and  Allen's  regiment,  and 
captain  Garrard's  company,  against  the  Miami  villages. 
The  detachments  were  in  both  instances  successful,  the 
bark  and  wooden  huts  of  nine  villages  were  destroyed, 
the  inhabitants  having  abandoned  tliem;  their  corn  was 
also  cut  up,  according  to  the  mode  of  warfare  practised 
on  these  people  by  all  European  nations.  General  Har- 
son  returned  to  fort  Wayne  about  the  eighteenth,  where 
he  found  general  W^inchester,  with  considerable  rein- 
forcements from  Ohio  and  Kentucky;  this  officer  had  been 
originally  destined  to  the  commana,  and  the  new  arrange* 
ment  had  not  yet  been  known.  General  Harrison,  there- 
fore, set  off  tor  Indiana,  but  was  soon  overtaken  by  a 
messenger,  with  information  of  his  promotion.  On  the 
twenty-third,  he  accordingly  resumed  the  command. 

The  day  before  his  arrival,  general  Winchester  had 
marched  for  fort  Defiance,  on  his  way  to  the  Rapids,  the 
place  of  ultimate  destination.    His  force  consisted  of  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


M 


brigade  of  Kentucky  militia,  four  hundred  regulars,  and 
a  troop  of  horse,  in  all  about  two  thousand  men.     I'he 


troop 

country  which  he  was  compelled  to  traverse,  opposed 
great  difficulties,  particularly  in  the*  transportation  of 
stores.  Along  the  heads  of  the  rivers  which  discharge 
themselves  into  the  Ohio,  on  the  south,  and  those  which 
discharge  themselves  into  the  lakes  on  the  north,  there  is 
an  extensive  tract  of  flat  land,  full  of  marshes  and  ponds, 
in  wliich  the  streams  take  their  rise.  In  rainy  seasons 
particularly,  this  tract  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  pass,  the 
horses  at  every  step  sinking  to  the  kneies  in  mud.  The 
ground,  besides,  is  covered  with  deep  forests  and  close 
thickets.  To  facilitate  the  passage  through  this  wilder- 
ness, each  man  was  obliged  to  carry  provisions  for  six 
days.  General  Harrison  proceeded  to  fort  St.  Mary's, 
for  the  purpose  of  transporting  supplies  by  the  Aux 
Glaise,  a  branch  of  the  Miami.  The  detaclimenl,  for  this 
purpose,  was  placed  under  the  command  of  major  Jennincs. 

The  American  troops  moved  slowly,  on  account  of  the 
precautions  necessary  to  avoid  surprise,  in  a  country 
highly  favourable  for  Indian  warfare.  From  the  close- 
ness of  the  thickets,  they  were  under  the  necessity  of 
cutting  open  a  road  ecch  day,  and  were  not  able  to  make 
more  than  six  or  eight  miles.  They  usually  encamped 
at  three  o'clock,  and  threw  up  a  breast-work  to  guard 
against  a  night  attack.  They  had  tlie  precaution  on  their 
march,  to  be  preceded  by  a  party  of  spies,  under  an  ac- 
tive officer,  captain  Ballard,  and  an  advanced  guard  of 
about  three  hundred  men.  On  tlie  twenty-fourth,  they 
discovered  an  Indian  trail  for  the  first  time,  and  pur- 
sued it  some  distance;  but  from  the  nature  of  the  coun- 
try, it  was  impossible  to  overtake  the  enemy.  Ensigu 
Legget,  having  obtained  permission  to  penetrate  to  fort 
Denance,  still  at  the  distance  of  twenty-four  miles,  set 
out  accompanied  by  four  volunteers.  These  gallant 
youn^  men,  not  being  sufficiently  experienced  in  such  en- 
terprises, were  killed  the  same  evening,  and  found  the 
next  day  by  the  spies,  scalped  and  tomahawked  in  the  most 
barbarous  manner.  On  the  twenty-seventh,  captain  Bal- 
lard, who  had  gone  before  for  the  purpose  of  burying  the, 
dead,  discovered  an  Indian  trail;  but  being  aware  oif  the 


♦  >. 


;lr;l'^.^^'i' 


1 


i^'HM':. 


60 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


strata^cmg  of  these  wily  people,  instead  of  following  it, 
he  divided  his  company,  and  inarched  his  nnen  on  each 
side.  The  stratagem  of  the  enemy  bein«;  thus  frustrated, 
they  rose  from  theii  hiding  places,  raised  the  war  whoop, 
and  took  possession  of  an  elevated  piece  of  ground;  but 
were  soon  compelled,  by  the  approach  of  the  cavalry,  and 
the  well  directed  fire  of  the  spies,  to  betake  themselves  to 
the  swamps  and  thickets.  The  next  day^  while  the  army 
%vas  on  its  march,  four  Indians  fired  upon  the  spies;  the 
general  instantly  drew  up  his  men,  and  sent  forward  a 
detachment  of  Iiorse,  which  returning  with  an  account 
that  no  enemy  could  be  seen,  the  line  of  inarch  was  again 
resumed.  Tney  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  a  trail  was 
discovered,  which  induced  the  general  to  cross  the  river, 
and  shortly  after  another  trail  was  discovered,  but  which 
was  at  first  supposed  to  have  marked  the  march  of  colo- 
nel Jennings,  and  was  therefore  hailed  with  joy  by  the 
troops,  who  had  began  to  suffer  exceedingl  v  tor  want  of 
provisions.  The  agreeable  mistake  was  unpleasantly  rec- 
tified by  the  arrival  of  the  scouts,  who  >rouglit  intelligence 
that  about  two  miles  above  fort  Defiance,  they  had  seen 
the  Indians  encamped,  with  their  war  poles  erected,  and 
bloody  flag  displayed. 

On  the  evening  of  the  twentv-ninth,  a  messenger  ar- 
rived from  colonel  Jennings,  with  the  information,  that, 
on  havin»  discovered  the  British  and  Indians  in  posses- 
sion of  fort  Defiance,  he  had  thought  it  prudent  to  land 
about  forty  miles  above  that  place,  where  he  had  erected 
a  block-house  and  awaited  further  orders.  Captain  Gar- 
,ard,  with  about  thirty  of  his  troopers,  was  despatched 
with  orders  to  Jennings,  to  forward  the  provisions;  this 
was  promptly  obeyed.  Captain  Garard  returned  as  the 
escort  to  the  brigade  of  pack-horses,  on  which  they  were 
loaded,  after  having  been  for  thirty-six  hours  exposed  to 
an  incessant  rain.  This  occurrence  gave  new  life  and 
spirits  to  the  starving  army,  which  had  in  the  mean  time 
taken  possession  of  fort  Defiance.  The  British  and  In- 
dians had  precipitated ly  descended  the  river. — On  the 
fourth  of  October,  general  Harrison  left  the  fort  and  re- 
turned to  the  settlements,  with  a  view  of  orgaiiizing,  and 
bringing  up  the  centre  and  right  wing  of  the  anny;  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


6i 


left  wing  having  been  placed  under  the  command  of  gen- 
eral Winchester.  Orders  were  given  to  general  Tupper, 
by  the  commander-in-chief,  to  proceed  immediately  to  the 
Rapids,  with  about  one  thousand  men,  for  the  purpose  of 
driving  the  enemy  from  that  place. 

The  intended  expedition  of  general  Tupper  proved 
abortive.  The  general,  in  consequence  of  the  damaged 
state  of  the  ammunition,  and  the  length  of  time  requisite 
to  prepare  the  necessary  provisions,  was  considerably 
delayed.  In  the  mean  while  the  Indians  had  killed  a  man 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  almost  within  gun 
shot  of  tne  camp.  He  beat  to  arms;  and  ordered  major 
Brush  to  cross  over  with  about  fifty  men,  and  explore  the 
woods,  while  a  strong  detachment  would  be  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  supporting  him,  in  case  of  attack.  The 
party  had  no  sooner  moved,  than  all  in  camp  began  to 
breaK  away,  twenty  or  thirty  together,  in  order  to  join  in 
the  chase,  and  by  no  exertion  of  authority  could  tliey  be 
kept  back;  so  totally  insensible  were  they  to  any  thing  like 
regular  military  subordination.  Luckily  these  small  bodies 
were  not  attacked,  or  they  must  have  been  cut  to  pieces. 
Immediately  after  this,  orders  were  given  by  the  com- 
manding general,  to  go  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians,  and  if 
possible  ascertain  their  number;  general  Tupper  repre- 
sented his  situation,  and  requested  that  the  order  might 
be  countermanded;  but  this  was  answered  by  a  peremptory 
command,  which  he  now  attempted  to  obey.  This  unfor- 
tunately resulted  in  a  misunderstanding  between  him  and 
the  commanding  general,  in  consequence  of  which  colo- 
nel Allen  received  private  orders  to  supercede  him  in 
A\Q  command;  on  this  being  made  known  to  the  corps  of 
Ohio,  they  positively  refused  to  march,  unanimously  set 
off  for  Urbanna,  and  the  expedition  was  entirely  brok- 
en up. 

These  are  instances  of  insubordination  much  to  be  re- 
gretted; but  they  spring  from  the  want  of  the  habit  of 
mechanical  obedience,  and  not  permitting  their  comman- 
ders, on  occasions  like  this,  to  think  for  them.  Such  are 
the  unavoidable  evils  attending  the  militia  hastily  called 
together,  and  not  kept  in  a  body  a  sufficient  length  of  time 
to  learn  the  utility  of  perfect  subordination.    They  d« 


r-i  i^r 


C2 


IHSTOIIV  OF  THE  WAR. 


"';,ii: 


not  reflect,  that,  to  a  soldier,  thfs  is  no  more  inconipalable 
with  the  liberty  of  the  citizen,  than  the  wholesome  re- 
straints of  virtue  and  the  laws,  arc  to  the  man  of  society. 

It  was  now  necessary  to  wait  until  the  arrival  of  the 
other  divisions  of  the  army,  before  any  thing  further  could 
be  attempted  against  the  Rapids,  and  much  less  against 
Detroit.  The  army  was  at  this  time  accompanied  by 
some  friendly  Indians,  whom  general  Harrison  iiad  re- 
ceived into  his  service  at  fort  Wayne,  the  greater  part 
under  the  command  of  Logan.  No  other  course  would 
have  prevented  their  becoming  our  enemies;  it  was  in 
vain  to  expect  them  to  remain  neutral,  while  surrounded 
by  war.  However  contrary  to  our  maxims  and  policy  to 
employ  such  auxiliaries,  we  were  compelled  to  do  so  in 
self  defence;  and  we  afterwards  sufficiently  evinced,  by 
th.c  concluct  of  those  Indians,  that  it  is  not  impossible  to 
restrain  tliemfrom  the  commission  of  acts  of  barbarity. 

General  Tupper,  having  returned  to  Urbanna,  with  his 
mounted  men,  was  despatched  with  the  division  of  the 
centre,  which  consisted  of  a  brigade  of  Ohio  volunteers 
and  militia,  and  a  regiment  of  regulars,  to  tort  M*Arthur, 
while  the  right  wing,  consisting  of  a  Pennsylvania  and  a 
Virginia  brigade,  was  ordered  to  Sandusky. 

On  his  arrival  at  fort  M'Arthur,  general  Tupper  organ- 
ized another  expedition;  composed  of  about  six  hundred 
men,  with  a  view  of  proceeding  to  the  Rapids.  Having 
provided  himself  with  a  supply  of  provisions  for  five  days, 
he  marched  on  the  tenth,  and  on  the  tliirteenth  approached 
within  thirteen  miles  of  the  place,  which  he  found,  by  his 
scouts,  to  be  still  in  possession  of  the  British  and  Indians. 
A  number  of  boats  and  small  vessels  were  seen  lying  be- 
low. On  receiving  this  information,  he  advanced  within 
a  few  miles  of  the  Rapids;  and  then  halted  until  sunset, 
with  a  view  of  crossing  the  river,  and  making  an  attack 
i\\c  next  morning  by  day  break.  The  rapidity  of  the 
current  was  such,  that  his  attempts  were  ineffectual;  many 
of  the  men,  who  endeavoured  to  cross,  were  swept  down 
the  stream,  and  it  was  thought  advisable  to  order  those, 
Vv'ho  had  actually  passed  to  return.  It  was  now  resolved 
1o  resort  to  stratagem,  and  if  possible,  to  decoy  the  enemy 
over.    For  this  purpose,  early  in  the  morning,  he  shewed 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^3 


the  heads  of  his  columns,  by  advancing  some  dista^ice  oi«t 
of  the  woods,  in  an  open  space  opposite  the  enemy's  camp. 
A  great  confusion  appeared  to  ensue;  those  in  the  vessel 
slipped  tlieir  cables,  and  descended  t\w  river,  while  the 
Indian  women  were  seen  scamperinj»  jff  on  the  road  to 
Detroit.  A  fire  was  then  opened  upon  the  Americans, 
with  musketry  and  a  four  pound(»r.  Tupper's  stratagem 
did  not  perfectly  succeed;  but  a  few  Indians  at  first  seem- 
ed disposed  to  cross,  and  then  acted  witii  great  caution. 
A  number,  however,  were  observed  in  a  little  while,  ci  os- 
sing  higher  up  the  river;  being  now  apprehensive  tliat  his 
camp  might  be  attacked,  tlie  general  thought  proper 
to  return.  He  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  some  of  the 
men,  unfortunately,  contrary  to  orders,  fired  on  a  drove  of 
hogs,  and  pursued  them  some  distance,  and  others,  ecpial- 
ly  disobedient,  entered  a  field  to  pull  corn.  At  this  mo- 
ment, a  body  of  mounted  Indians  iiished  forward,  killed 
four  men,  and  attacked  the  rear  of  the  right  flank.  The 
column  being  thrown  back,  commenced  a  brisk  fire,  and 
caused  the  Indians  to  give  ground.  The  Indians  rallied, 
and  passing  along  the  van-guard,  made  a  charge  upon  the 
rear  of  the  left  column:  this  column  was  also  thrown  brisk- 
ly back;  all  attempts  to  break  it  were  unsuccessful,  and  in 
twenty  minutes,  the  Indians  again  retired.  Conceiving  this 
only  preliminary  to  an  attack  of  foot,  general  Tupper  order- 
ed the  right  column  to  move  up  in  marching  order,  to  pre- 
vent the  attack  from  being  made  on  the  right  flank.  Infor- 
mation was  now  received,  that  the  Indians  were  crossing 
in  considerable  numbers;  on  this,  the  general  ordered 
the  left  column  to  take  up  the  marching  order,  and  pro- 
ceed to  the  head  of  the  right  column,  where  a  number  of 
Indians  had  already  crossed  on  horseback,  others  still 
in  the  river,  and  about  tv/o  hundred  on  the  opposite  bank. 
These,  a  battalion  was  ordered  to  dislodge,  which  com- 
pletely succeeded  in  the  undertaking,  many  of  them  be- 
mg  shot  from  their  horses  in  the  river.  The  different 
charges  of  the  Indians  were  led  by  the  famous  chief  Split- 
Log,  who  rode  a  fine  white  horse,  from  which  he  sometimes 
fired;  at  other  times  alighted,  and  fired  from  behind  a 
tree.  The  horses  appeared  to  have  been  much  superior 
to  those  which  the  Indians  generally  ride,  and  they  were 


^IW 


^,\ 


fe  •■ 


A. 


t    '  f   ■.'  ^^ 


G4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  'WAR. 


M 


well  supplier!  with  holsters  and  pistols.  The  Aniericaiisj 
were  compelled  to  return  in  haste,  as  their  provisions 
were  hv  this  time  entirely  exhausted,  and  they  had  to 
maich  forty  miles  before  they  could  obtain  a  fresh  supply. 

A\'hile  these  things  were  taking  place  in  the  northwcst- 
lirn  army  untler  general  Harrison,  other  events  deserving 
attention,  transpired  further  to  the  westward,  under  dif 
fcrent  leaders.  We  have  seen  that  many  of  the  compa- 
nies equipped  for  the  service  of  the  United  States,  were 
dismissed,  as  exceeding  the  number  required,  or  the  num- 
ber for  which  suj)plieshad  been  provided.  The  spirit  for 
volunteering  was  excited  to  so  high  a  degree,  tnat  the 
people  could  not  be  satisfied,  without  having  an  opportu- 
nity of  doing  something.  Vincennes,  on  the  \V abash, 
was  appointed  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  an  expedition 
against  the  Peoria  towns,  and  others  situated  on  the  Illi- 
nois and  Wabash  rivers.  Nearly  four  thousand  men) 
chiefly  mounted  riflemen;  under  the  command  of  general 
Hopkins,  collected  at  this  place,  and  early  in  October 
])roceeded  to  fort  Harrison.  This  expedition  was  sanc- 
tioied  by  the  venerable  governour  Shelby,  of  Kentucky, 
and  was,  perhaps,  the  most  formidable  in  appearance  that 
had  ever  entered  the  Indian  country. 

The  army  reached  fort  Hirrison  about  the  tenth,  and 
on  the  fourteenth  crossed  the  Wabash,  and  proceeded  on 
its  march  against  the  Kickapoo  and  Peoria  towns;  the 
first  about  eighty  miles  distant,  the  others  about  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty.  Its  march  lay  through  open  plains  cov- 
ered with  a  luxuriant  grass,  which  in  autumn  becomes 
very  dry  and  combustible.  Murmurs  and  discontents 
soon  began  to  shew  themselves  in  this  unwieldy  and  ill 
compacted  body,  which  was  kept  together  by  no  discip- 
line or  authority.  Every  one  consulted  his  own  will;  in 
fact,  but  little  could  be  expected  from  this  "press  of  chiv- 
alry." They  had  scarcely  been  four  days  on  their  march, 
when  they  demanded  to  be  led  back;  a  major,  whose  name 
it  is  unnecessary  to  remember,  rode  up  to  the  general,  and 
peremptorily  ordered  him  to  return!  An  idea  had  begun  to 
prevail,  that  the  guides  were  ignorant  of  the  country,  and 
that  the  course  was  the  opposite  of  that  which  they  direct- 
ed.   An  unlucky  occurrencCi  towards  evening,  gave  th« 


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HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


63 


m 


finishing  blow  to  this  mighty  expedition.  A  gust  of  wind 
had  arisen,  while  thej  were  encamped,  whicli  blew  vio- 
lently towards  them;  soon  after,  the  grass  was  discovered 
to  be  on  fire,  and  the  flames  approaching  with  great  ve- 
locity. This  was.  supposed  to  be  an  Indian  attack;  it 
would  have  been  a  formidable  one,  had  they  not  set  fire 
to  the  grass  around  their  camp,  and  thus  arrested  the  pro- 
gress of  the  flames.  The  next  morning  a  council  of  offi- 
cers was  called,  and  the  general,  seeing  the  state  of  the 
army,  or  more  properly  of  the  crowd,  proposed  to  pro- 
ceed against  the  Indian  towns  witli  five  hundred  men,  if 
that  number  would  volunteer  their  services,  wliile  the 
remainder  might  return  to  fort  Harrison.  When  the  pro- 
posal was  made  to  the  men,  not  one  would  turn  out;  the 
general  having  entirely  lost  his  popularity.  He  then  re- 
quested to  be  permitted  to  direct  the  operations  of  that 
single  day;  this  being  agreed  to,  he  placed  himself  at 
their  head,  and  gave  orders  to  march;  but  instead  of  fol- 
lowing him,  they  turned  round,  and  pursued  a  contrary 
direction.  Finding  it  useless  to  attempt  any  thing  fur- 
ther with  such  a  body,  he  followed  in  its  rear  to  fort  Har- 
rison. They  saw  no  Indians  during  their  march;  their 
number  must  have  caused  a  most  formidable  appearance 
in  the  prairie,  particularly  as  they  were  nearly  all  on 
horseback.  The  expedition  was  by  no  means  useless,  as  it 
impressed  the  enemy  with  an  alarming  idea  of  the  num- 
bers which  we  could  bring  against  thenj.  No  inference  un- 
favourable to  militia,  can  be  justly  drawn  from  this  body, 
or  to  the  individuals  who  composed  it:  for  it  was  nothing 
more  than  a  crowd  of  armed  men  under  no  command. 

The  same  officer,  sometime  in  November,  led  another 
party,  \vith  more  success,  against  the  towns  at  the  head  of 
the  Wabash.  On  the  eleventh,  he  again  set  out  from  fort 
Harrison,  with  about  twelve  hundred  men;  while  at  the 
same  time,  seven  boats,  under  the  command  of  lieutenant 
colonel  Barber,  ascended  the  river  with  supplies  and  pro- 
visions. On  the  nineteenth,  he  reached  the  prophet*s 
town,  and  immediately  despatched  three  hundred  men, 
to  surprise  the  Winebago  towns  on  Ponce  Passu  creek. 
The  party,  under  colonel  Butler,  came  upon  the  place 
about  dav  break,  but  found  it  evacuated.     This  village, 


«'•<■ 


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K?|lHt 

66 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


together  with  the  prophet's  town,  and  a  large  Kickapoo 
village,  containing  one  hundred  and  twenty  cabins  and 
huts,  were  destroyed,  together  with  the  winter's  provision 
of  corn.     Until  the  twenty-first,  no  Indians  m  ere  discov- 
ered, when  they  fired  on  a  small  party,  and  killed  a  man  of 
the  name  of  Dunn,  a  gallant  soldier  of  Duvall's  company. 
The  next  day,  about  sixty  horsemen,  under  colonels  Mil- 
ler and  Wilcox,  being  sent  out  to  bury  the  dead,  they 
were  suddenly  attacked  by  a  considerable  party  of  In- 
dians; and  in  the  skirmish  which  ensued,  eighteen  of  our 
men  were  killed,  wounded  and  missing.    The  principal 
camp  of  the  Indians  having  been  discovered,  preparations 
were  made  to  attack  it,  but  on  approaching  it,  the  enemy 
was  found  to  have  gone  off.    Their  situation  was  remark- 
ably strong,  being  on  a  high  bank  of  the  Ponce  Passu,  and 
no  means  of  ascending  but  through  some  narrow  ravines. 
The  inclement  season  advancing  rapidly,  it  was  deemed 
prudent  to  tliink  of  returning,  particularly  as  the  ice  in  the 
river  began  to  obstruct  the  passage.    The  success  and 
g-ood  conduct  of  this  detachment  forms  a  remarkable  con- 
trast with  the  first,  and  proves  that  militia,  after  having 
been  sometime  embodied,  becomes  as  good  troops  as  any 
other.    This  corps  suffered  exceedingly;  and  without  a 
murmur;  many  of  them  were  sick,  and  to  use  the  words 
of  the  general,  many  were  "shoeless  and  shirtless,"  dur- 
ing the  cold  weather  of  this  season.    These  repeated  in- 
cursions would  doubtless  strike  terrour  into  the  enemy, 
and  operate  powerfully  upon  the  only  sense  to  wliich  we 
could  appeal. 

We  have  passed  over,  without  noticing,  but  with  the 


intention  of 


recording  in  a  more 


distinguished  manner, 


the  admirable  defence  of  fort  Harrison,  which  was  timely 
relieved  by  general  Hopkins,  on  his  first  expedition.  This 
fort  was  invested  about  the  same  time  with  fort  Wayne, 
by  a  large  body  of  Indians,  some  of  whom  had  affected  to 
be  friendly,  and  had  the  day  before,  intimated  to  captain 
Taylor,  that  an  attack  might  soon  be  expected  from  the 
prophet's  party.  On  the  «vening  of  the  third  of  Septem- 
ber, two  young  men  were  killed  near  the  fort,  and  the 
next  day,  a  party  of  thirty  or  forty  Indians,  from  the  piu- 
phet'stown,  appearetl  wi^ha  wbito  flag,  under  pretence  ot 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR> 


67 


obtaining  provisions.  Captain  Taylor,  suspecting  an  at- 
tack that  nif^ht^  examined  the  arms  of  his  men,  and  fur- 
nished them  with  cartridges.  The  garrison  was  composed 
of  no  more  than  eighteen  effective  men,  the  commander 
and  the  greater  part  of  his  company  having  suffered  very 
much  from  sickness.  For  sometime  past,  tne  fort  had  ac- 
tually been  considered  incapable  of  resisting  an  attack. 
About  eleven  o'clock,  the  night  being  very  dark,  the  In- 
dians had  set  fire  to  one  of  the  block  houses  unperceived.. 
Every  effort  was  made  to  extinguish  the  Hames,  but  with- 
out effect;  a  quantity  of  whiskey,  amon^^st  other  stores, 
belonging  to  the  contractor,  deposited  tnere,  blazed  up, 
and  immediately  enveloped  the  whole  in  a  flame.  The 
situation  of  the  fort  became  desperate;  the  yells  of  the 
Indians,  the  shrieks  of  a  number  of  women  and  children 
within,  added  to  the  horronrs  of  the  night,  altogether  pro- 
.duced  a  terrifick  scene.  Two  soldiers,  giving  themselves 
upfor  lost, 'eaped  over  the  pickets,  and  one  of  them  was 
instantly  cut  to  pieces.  The  commander,  with  great 
presence  of  mind,  ordered  the  roofs  to  be  taken  off  the  ad- 
joing  barracks;  this  attempt,  with  the  assistance  of  Dr. 
Clark,  fortunately  proved  successful,,  although  made  un- 
der a  shower  of  bullets.  A  breast-work  was  then  formed, 
before  morning,  six  or  eight  feet  high,  so  as  to  cover  the 
space  which  would  be  left  by  the  burnt  block  house.  The 
firing  continued  until  day-light,  when  the  Indians  retired, 
after  suffering  a  severe  loss;  that  of  the  fort  was  only 
three  killed,  and  a  few  wounded.  The  Indians,  discour- 
aged by  the  failure  of  this  attack,  thought  proper  to  retire, 
and  made  no  further  attempts,  until  the  place  was  happily 
relieved  by  the  arrival  ot  general  Hopkins.  In  conse- 
quence of  his  conduct,  captain  Taylor  was  afterward- 
promoted  to  a  majority. 

Another  expedition  was  undertaken  by  colonel  Russell, 
with  three  companies  of  United  States  rangers,  and   a 

farty  of  mounted  riflemen,  under  governour  Edwards,  of 
llinois.  This  party,  consisting  of  three  hundre^^  ?'"  '  six- 
ty men,  was  destined  to  meet  general  HopkL..^  r  tne 
Peoria  towns,  on  the  Illinois  river.  They  were  i.>.jap- 
pointed  in  tJiis,  in  consequence  of  what  has  been  alreauy 
detailed;  but  they,  notwithstanding,  persevered  in  their 


*:■ 


i 


I; 


'^■>M^ 


6? 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


,1  -i 


cnterpn7.e,  and  destroyed  one  of  the  towns  known  by  the 
name  of  Pamitaris's  town,  and  pursued  the  Indians  into 
a  swamp  in  its  vicinity,  where  they  had  fled  for  shelter. 
The  party  waded  into  the  swamp  for  several  miles,  in 
«)nie  places  to  the  waist  in  water,  and  killed  upwards  of 
twenty  of  the  enemy  in  this  place,  and  on  the  bank  of  the 
river.  The  village,  which  was  populous  and  flourishing^ 
was  completely  destroyed,  together  with  their  winter's 
provisions,  The  party  returned  to  camp  on  the  thirty- 
iirst  of  October,  after  an  absence  of  only  thirteen  days. 

Lieutenant  colonel  Campbell,  of  the  19th  United  States 
infantry,  was,  about  the  same  time,  detached  againscthe 
towns  on  the  Mississinewa  river,  a  branch  of  the  Wabash. 
A  town,  inliabited  by  I^  lawares  and  Miamis,  was  sur- 
prised on  the  seventeenth  of  November;  upwards  of  thirty 
persons  were  taken  prisoners,  a;  d  eight  warriours  killed. 
The  next  morning  at  day -light  a  furious  attack  was  made 
on  the  American  camp;  major  Ball,  with  his  dragoons, 
sustained  the  onset  for  some  time;  but  a  well  directed 
fire  from  captain  Butler*s  "Pittsburgh  Volunteers,"  coui- 
pelled  the  enemy  to  give  way.  Captain  Trotter,  of  the 
Lexington  troop  of  horse,  charged,  and  the  Indians  pre- 
cipitately fled.  Captain  Pearce,  of  the  Zanesville  iroop, 
was,  unfcrtunately,  killed  in  the  pursuit.  Lieutenant 
AValtz,  of  the  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  was  also  killed. 
The  officers  particulaily  named  on  the  occasion,  were 
lieutenant  colonel  Simmeral,  major  M*I)owell,  captains 
Markle,  M'Clelland,  Gerrard,  and  Hopkins.  The  loss 
in  killed  on  the  part  of  the  assailants,  amounted  to  forty, 
and  on  our  part,  to  eight  killed,  and  about  thirty  wounded. 
Several  of  their  villages  were  afterwards  destroyed. 

Besides  these  aifairs,  there  were  p  number  of  less  mo- 
ment, in  which  the  militia  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  and  Mis- 
souri territories,  greatly  distinguished  themselves.  The 
Indians  were  so  much  harrassed,  that  they  began  seri- 
ously to  repent  of  having  taken  up  the  war-club  so  hasti- 
ly; and  their  sufterin^s,  during  the  succeeding  winter, 
were  not  likely  to  produce  any  change  of  feeling  towards 
those  who  had  thus  urged  them  to  encounter  their  own 
ruin.  The  security  of  the  frontier  from  the  murdeious 
scalping  knife  of  the  savage,  was  thus  in  a  great  measure 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


69 


effected.  The  Indianr  would  be  compelled  to  remove  to 
the  distant  British  establishments  for  sustenance,  dijirina; 
the  winter,  since  their  means  of  subsistence  were  cut  oft'. 
As  to  the  loss  of  their  huts  or  wigvvan*s,  that  was  a  mat- 
tor  of  little  consecjuence  to  them;  a  few  days  being  sufTi- 
( lent  to  re-construct  them.  But  by  their  being  thus  driven 
io  a  distance,  with  their  wives  and  children,  they  were 
revented  from  annoying  the  settlers,  with  their  fiend- 
ike  warfare.  Many  a  peaceful  settler  was  saved  from 
their  midnight  attacks;  and  "the  slumbers  of  the  crjidle** 
were  protected  from  the  savage  war-whoop. 


Fi 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Ticiops  ou  tho  Canada  frontier — Capture  of  the  Caledonia— Mattic  of 
Queeniitowa,  and  the  death  of  general  Brock — Bomhai'dnient  of 
J^'iiigara — Abortive  attempt  of  geiuial  Smyth — Northern  Army- 
First  ciuisc  of  commodore  Chauucey. 

It  is  now  time  to  turn  our  attention  to  the  northern 
frontier,  that  we  may  take  a  view  of  the  occurrences  on 
that  extensive  line,  from  Niagara  down  the  St.  Lawrence. 
Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  our  forces  had  chiefly 
concentrated  in  two  bodies;  one  near  Lewistown,  con- 
sisting of  some  regulars  newly  enlisted,  and  militia, 
amounting  to  four  thousand  men,  under  general  Van 
Hensselear,  of  New-York;  the  other,  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Plattsburg  and  Greenbush,  under  the  commander-in- 
chief,  general  Dearborn.  At  Black  Rock,  at  Ogdensburg, 
and  Sackett's  Harbour,  some  regulars  and  militia  were 
also  stationed.  During  the  summer  and  autumn,  a  num- 
ber of  volunteer  companies  had  marched  to  tlie  borders, 
as  also  the  new  recruits,  as  fast  as  they  could  be  enlisted. 
Bodies  of  regulars  were  distributed  in  each  of  these  places, 
with  officers  of  experience,  for  the  purpose  ot  drilling  the 
raw  troops  as  they  arrived.  It  was  expected,  that  before 
the  month  of  October,  every  thing  would  be  made  ready 
for  a  formidable  invasion  of  Canada.    Considerable  di&- 


4  ' ,  • 


..«  ■.• 


1 1.. 


70 


History  of  the  war. 


;1l 


m 


m 


appointment  was,  however,  experienced,  in  consequence 
01  tlie  refusal  of  (lie  j»;overnours  of  Massacliusetts,  New 
Ilampsliire,  and  Connecticut,  to  permit  the  militia  of 
those  states  to  marcli  under  the  requisition  of  the  presi- 
dent, on  the  {ground  of  their  beino;  the  proper  judjres,  un- 
der the  ccmstitution,  of  the  exij2;ency  Avhich  miju;ht  require 
them;  and  as  they  were  not  friendly  to  the  war,  and  par- 
ticularly so  to  rendering  it  offensive,  they  felt  no  dispo- 
sition to  wave  their  privilej;es.  Other  constitutional 
objections  were  alsourg;ed,  which  it  is  scarcely  necessary 
to  mention.  As  the  militia  in  those  states  was  better 
disciplined  and  more  effective,  than  any  in  the  union, 
their  absence  was  severely  felt.  It  is  liighly  probable, 
that  had  there  been  a  full  co-operation  on  the  ])art  of  these 
states,  with  the  views  of  the  general  government,  that 
Upper  Canada,  at  least,  would  have  fallen  into  our  lu»nds, 
in  the  course  of  the  first  campaign.  Military  stores  had 
been  collected  at  different  points,  and  general  Dearborn, 
who  had  been  appointed  in  consequence  of  his  experience 
in  the  revolutionary  war,  was  actively  engaged,  with  the 
assistance  of  such  officers  as  Pike,  Koyd,  and  Scott,  in 
drilling,  disciplining,  and  organizi'ig  his  army.  General 
Smyth,  who  v»  as  considered  an  able  tactitian,  v/as  simi- 
larly engaged.  Between  eight  and  ten  thousand  men 
were  collected  along  this  extensive  line,  and  it  was  hoped 
that  something  might  still  be  done.  Skilful  oilicers  of  the 
navy  weie  also  despatched,  for  the  purpos*^  of  aiming  ves- 
sels on  lakes  Erie,  Ontario,  and  Champlain,  in  order  if  possi- 
ble to  gain  the  ascendancy  there,  and  to  aid  the  operations 
of  our  forces.  The  army  under  the  command  of  Van 
Rensselear,  was  called  the  army  of  the  centre,  to  distin- 
guish it  from  that  of  Harrison.  That  under  the  immedi- 
ate command  of  general  Dearborn,  the  army  of  the  north. 
About  the  beginning  of  October,  an  action  was  achiev- 
ed by  lieutenant  Elliot,  who  had  arrived  on  lake  Erie, 
for  the  pur]  ose  of  superintending  the  naval  equipments, 
which  roused  the  attention  of  the  army  of  the  centre,  and 
excited  a  general  emulation  to  do  something  worthy  of 
notice.  On  the  morning  of  the  eighth,  the  British  brig 
J)etroit,  formerly  the  Adams,  surrendered  by  Hull,  and 
the  brig  Caledonia,  came  down  from  Maiden,  and  an- 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


n 


chorcd  under  tlu'  ^uns  effort  Erie,  nearly  opposite  Bluck 
Kc  k:  Klliot  conceived  tlie  idea  of  attacking  them,  and 
seni  an  express  to  hasten  the  seamen,  then  (m  the  way, 
anM  \' ho,  about  fifty  in  number,  arrived  in  tiie  evenirij^, 
weaiicd  with  a  marrh  of  five  hundred  miles.  Allowing 
them  until  twelve  at,  night  for  repose,  he  then  embarked 
in  !>oats  with  about  fifty  volunteers,  who  joined  him,  and, 
cro-islng  the  river,  slipped  down  to  the  brigs;  in  an  in- 
stiinl  he  was  on  board,  an<l  drove  the  British  below.  In 
ten  minutes  afterwards,  he  was  under  weigh.  But  tlie 
wind  not  being  sufliciently  strong  to  bear  them  against 
the  current,  they  were  both  run  aground;  the  Caledonia, 
so  as  to  be  protected  by  the  batteries  of  Black  Rock;  but 
tlie  Detroit,  after  being  bravely  defende<l,  until  a  consi- 
derable part  of  the  military  stores  on  board  were  secured, 
was  set  on  fire  and  destroyed.  The  Caledonia  was 
lyen  with  furs  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  This  was  eifected  with  the  loss  of  only 
two  killed  and  four  wounded. 

The  affair  having  kindled  the  ardour  of  the  Americans 
of  the  army  of  the  centre,  iho.y  demanded  to  be  led  to  the 
invasion  of  Canada,  and  some  of  the  volunteers  threaten- 
ed to  return  home,  unless  their  wishes  were  complied 
with.     But  this  was  not  the  ardour  of  veterans,  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  dangess  to  be  encountered,  and  des- 
pising them;  it  was  the  inconsiderate  rashness  ot  inexpe- 
rienced men,  ready  to  anticipate  the  proper  moment,  but 
not  possessing  the  firmness  to  persevere  when  surrounded 
by   unaccustomed   terrours.      After   a  confeience   with 
generals  Smyth  and   Hall,  general  Van  Rensselaer  re- 
solved to  malce  an  attack  on  the  heights  of  Queenstown 
From  the  information  he  could  collect,  the  enemy's  force 
had  been  chiefly  drawn  off  for  the  defence  of  Maiden,  as 
it  was  supposed,  under  the  command  of  general  Brock, 
who  had  left  the  territory  of  Michigan  under  the  govern- 
ment of  general  Proctor,  until  he  could  organize  a  force 
to  return.     Could  this  place  be  possessed  by  our  troops, 
they  would  be  sheltered  from  the  approaching  inclemen- 
cy of  the  season,  and  the  operations  of  the  western  army 
much  facilitated.     Accordingly,  at  four  in  the  morning  of 
the  sleventh,  in  the  midst  of  a  dreadful  northeast  storm, 


>" 


'-     ii  i  ; 


4i  '^''^"^^ 


1^ 

1 


n 


72 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


and  heavy  rain,  an  attempt  was  make  to  pass  the  river^ 
but  owing  to  tlie  darkness  of  the  night,  and  various  un- 
foreseen accidents,  the  passage  could  not  be  effected. 

This  failure  but  served  to  increase  the  impatience  of 
the  troops,  who  became  almost  ungovernable.      Orders 
were  despatched  to  general  Smyth,  to  advance  with  his 
corps,  as  another  attempt  would  be  made  on  Queenstown. 
Every  arrangement  was  rapidly  made,  and  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  thirteenth,  the  troops  embarked,  under 
the  cove     '^i'  ihe  y\merican  batteries.     The  force  desig- 
nated to .     rm  I  e  heights,  was  divided  into  two  columns; 
one  ofthrev  hum'  .d  militia,  under  colonel  Van  Rensse- 
laer, the  other  of  tnree  hundred  regulars,  under  colonel 
Christie.     These  were  to  be  followed  by  colonel  Fen- 
wick's  artillery,  and  then  the  other  troops  in  order.     Tlie 
British,  in  the  meanwhile,  anticipating  this  attack,  had 
obtained  considerable  reinforcements  from  fort  George, 
and,  if  necessary,  could  be  still  further  assisted  by  gene- 
ral Brock,  who,  it  now  appeared,  commanded  at  that  place. 
At  day-light,  as  soon  as  the  approach  of  the  Americans 
could  be  discovered,  a  shower  of  musketry  and  grape 
opened  from  the  whole  line  on  the  Canada  shore,  and  was 
returned  by  our  batteries,  with  the  addition  of  two  sixes, 
which,  after  an  extraordinary  effort,  lieutenant  colonel 
Scott  had  brought  to  their  assistance  from  the  Falls  of 
Niagara.     The  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  the  eddies  in  the 
river,  produced  considerable  embarrassment,  in  conse- 
quence of  which,  lieutenant  colonel  Christie,  who  was 
wounded  by  a  grape  shot  in  the  hand,  and  colonel  Mula- 
ney,  fell  below  the  intended  point,  and  were  obliged  to 
return.    Colonel  Van  Rensselaer,  who  commanded  the 
whole,  and  who  led  the  van,  reached  the  shore,  with  only 
one  hundred  men,  in  the  midst  of  a  most  galling  fire. 
He  had  scarcely  leaped  on  land,  when  he  received  four 
severe  wounds,  which  retarded  the  onset.    This  gallant 
officer,  being  still  able  to  stand,  though  suff^ering  the  most 
excruciating  pain,  ordered  his  men  to  move  rapidly  up 
the  heights.     Captain   O^ilvie  assumed   the  command, 
secondetl  by  captain  Wool,  who  was  also  wounded,  and 
followed  by  lieutenants  Kearney,  Carr,  Higginan,  Som- 
mers,  and  ensign  Reeve,  of  the  thirteenth.    Lieutenants 


HISTORY  OF  TllK  WAU. 


73 


Gansevoort  and  Rantlolph,  ascended  the  rocks  to  the 
r\fr\\t  of  the  fort,  gave  three  cheers,  and  alter  several  des- 
perate charges,  at  the  head  of  a  handful  of  men,  carried 
the  heights,  and  drove  the  enemy  down  tlie  hill  in  every 
direction.  The  enemy  retreated  behind  a  large  stone 
house,  and  kept  up  their  fire;  but  their  batteries,  with 
the  exception  of  one  gun,  were  silenced.  The  detach- 
ment under  colonel  Christie,  on  his  second  attempt,  now 
landed.  Considerable  reinforcements  soon  after  arrived, 
under  captains  Gibson,  M'Chesney,  and  Lawrence;  and 
colonels  Mead,  Strahan,  Allen,  anil  other  militia  officers. 
About  this  time,  general  Brock  arrived  in  person,  with 
the  forty-ninth  regiment,  six  hundred  strong.  ■  r^eiv- 
ing  him  approaching  to  the  rear  of  the  battery,  .a^  ain 
Wool,  who  commanded  at  this  point,  ordered  .detach- 
ment of  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  men,  to  charge. 
The  detachment  was  driven  back,  but  being  reii  *brced, 
charged  a  second  time.  Encountering  a  grea^  superiori- 
ty of  numbers,  they  were  again  repuised,  a,  d  on  the 
point  of  being  driven  to  the  very  verge  of  the  precipice, 
when  the  officer,  considering  the  situation  hopeless,  plac- 
ed a  white  handkerchief  on  the  point  of  a  bayonet,  in 
token  of  submission,  which  was  instantly  torn  away  by 
Captain  Wool,  who  ordered  the  men  to  stand  their 
ground.  At  this  instant,  colonel  Christie  advanced  with 
a  reinforcement,  which  increased  the  number  of  the  de- 
tachment to  three  hundred  and  twenty.  This  officer 
now  led  on  a  desperate  charge,  and  completely  succeed- 
ed in  putting  to  night  a  regiment  tv/ice  his  numbers,  and 
bearing  the  name  of  invincibles.  General  Brock,  exas- 
perated at  this  conduct,  endeavoured  to  rally  tijem,  when 
ne  received  three  balls,  which  terminated  his  existence; 
his  aid,  captain  M*Donald,  at  the  same  instant  falling  by 
his  side,  mortally  wounded.  At  two  o'clock,  general 
Wadsworth,  of  the  militia,  and  colonels  Scott  and  Mula- 
iiey  crossed  over.  Captain  Wool  having  been  ordered 
to  retire  to  have  his  wounds  dressed,  again  returned  to 
the  action.  The  forty-ninth  being  repulsed,  and  the 
British  commander  having  fallen,  the  victory  was  thought 
to  be  complete,  and  general  Van  Rensselaer  crossed  over, 
for  the  purpose  of  immediately  fortifying  a  camp,  to  pre- 

7 


:^rg 


74 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I 


I 


' 


fi 


„,.v 


I.  i\  : 

"ill, 


pare  against  future  attacks,  should  the  enemy  be  rein- 
forced. This  duty  lie  assigned  to  lieutenant  Totten,  an 
nble  engineer. 

The  fortune  of  the  day  was  not  yet  decided.  At  three 
o'clock,  the  enemy  having  rallied,  and  being  reinforced 
by  several  hundred  Chippewa  Indians,  again  advanced 
to  the  attack.  At  first  our  men  were  disposed  to  faulter, 
but  being  animated  by  such  leaders  as  colonel  Christie 
and  colonel  Scott,  marched  boldly  to  the  charge,  and  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet,  once  more  compelled  tlie  British, 
wiM)  were  now  the  assailants,  to  retire.  Tliis  was  the 
tiiird  victory  gained  since  morning,  and  had  the  contest 
ended  here,  it  would  have  been  one  of  the  most  glorious 
for  our  country.  General  Van  Rensselaer  perceiving  that 
the  men  on  the  opposite  side  embarked  but  slowly,  and 
fearing  another  conflict,  recrossed  for  the  purjwse  of  ex- 
pediting <!)eir  departure.  But  what  was  his  astonish- 
ment, on  reaching  the  American  side,  when  he  found  that 
they  positively  refusexl  to  embark!  More  than  twelve 
hundred  men  under  anns  were  drawn  up  on  the  bank, 
where  they  remained  as  idle  spectators  ot  the  scene,  and 
neither  co)nmands  nor  entreaties  could  prevail  on  them 
to  move.  They  refused  to  do  so  on  the  ground  of  con- 
stitutional privilege;  the  same  men,  who  a  few  days  be- 
fore had  expressed  so  much  impatience,  that  their  ardour 
was  restrained.  It  seems  that  this  boiling  ardour  had 
already  been  cooled,  by  what  they  had  witnessed  on  the 
opposite  shore. 

At  four  o'clock,  the  British  being  reinforced  by  eight 
hundred  men  from  fort  George,  renewed  the  enga<i;ement 
with  fresh  vigour.  General  Van  Rensselaer,  perceiving 
that  our  men  were  now  almost  exhausted  with  fatigue, 
their  ammunition  nearly  spent,  was  compelled,  under 
the  most  painful  sensations,  to  address  a  note  to  general 
Wadsworth,  communicating  the  unexj>ected  circum- 
stance, and  giving  him  permission  to  consult  his  own 
judgment,  and  at  the  same  time  despatched  a  number  of 
boats,  that  in  case  it  should  be  so  resolved,  he  might  re- 
turn with  his  troops  to  the  American  side.  A  desperate 
contest  soon  followed,  which  was  kept  up  for  half  an  hour, 
by  a  contiuutd  discharge  of  musketry  and  artillery,  when 


■Mia 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WATT. 


/;» 


our  troops  were  gra<lually  overpowered  by  nur»  jers,  their 
strength  rapidly  declined,  and  their  hopes  were  subdued 
by  the  information  they  had  by  this  time  received.  The 
militia  attempted  to  re-embark,  but  in  this  tliey  were  frus- 
trated. It  being  impossible  to  hold  out  any  longer,  and 
more  overcome  by  tne  apathy  of  their  countrymen,  wIkv 
stood  looking  coldly  on,  tlian  by  the  strength  of  their  foes, 
they  at  length  surrendered  theinselves  prisoners  of  war. 
During  the  greater  part  of  the  engagement  with  the  last 
reinforcement,  the  regulars,  not  more  than  two  hundred 
and  fifty  in  number,  bore  the  brunt  of  the  action  entirely 
alone.  The  prisoners  were  generally  treated  well  by 
the  British,  but  they  imposed  no  restraint  on  their  allies, 
who  proceeded  immediately  to  the  work  of  stripping  and 
scalping  the  slain,  and  even  many  of  the  wounded. 
Amongst  other  indignities  which  these  wretches  were  not 
restrained  from  committing,  were  those  offered  to  the 
body  of  ensign  Morris,  brother  to  our  naval  hero.  Con- 
trasted with  this,  it  is  worthy  of  being  mentioned,  that 
the  guns  of  the  American  fort  were  fired  during  the  fu- 
neral ceremony  of  general  Brock,  a  brave  and  generous 
enemy.  Even  savages,  had  they  chosen  to  inquire  the 
meaning  of  this,  ought  to  have  learned  a  lesson  of  humani- 
ty, their  civilized  allies  could  not  teach. 

Every  officer  who  crossed  the  river,  it  is  said,  distin- 
guished himself.  Colonel  Scott,  afterwards  so  justly  cele- 
brated, continued  the  greater  part  of  the  day  m  the  hot- 
test of  the  fight,  and  although  dressed  in  uniform,  and  of 
a  tall  and  elegant  stature,  did  not  receive  the  slightest 
wound.  Several  Indians  afterwards  declared  that  they 
had  taken  deliberate  aim  at  him.  A  volunteer  company 
of  riflemen  under  lieutenant  Smith,  who  took  prisoner  an 
Indian  chief,  when  the  enemy  rallied  a  second  time,  was 
much  distinguished.  Lieutentant  colonel  Fenwick  was 
severely  wounded,  but  never  left  the  ground  during  the. 
action.  Captains  Gibson,  Wool,  and  M'Chesney,  were 
highly  complimented  by  the  general.  The  loss  of  the 
British  and  Indians  is  not  exactly  known;  ours  must  have 
been  at  least  one  thousand  in  killed,  wounded  and  prison- 
ers. The  greater  part  of  the  prisoners  were  taken  to 
Montreal,. 


.■'  •>  I. 


i,|, 


.i 


■■I 


'-■<  t>i 


1 1 

in 


.  n 


HISTORY  OP  TKR  WAR. 


I'tti 


li 


^;ii 


!'  ! 


ii  • 


During  the  embarkation  of  tlie  troops  at  Lewifttown,  a 
tire  was  oneiied  tVoni  fort  (jleorj:;e,  on  the  American  tort 
Nia;^ara,  wliiih  was  returned  anil  kept  up  during  the  <lay 
on  both  sides.  'j'he  baltery  commanded  by  captain 
M*Kcon,  which  uas  n)ana;;e«l  with  ability,  set  lire  to  sev- 
eral houses  near  tlie  IJritisli  fort.  A  twelve  pourtder  hap- 
pen'MJ  to  burst,  and  at  the  same  time  the  opposite  j2;airi» 
son  beisiinninu;  to  throw  shells,  captain  Leonard  thoui;ht  it 
prudent  to  have  the  fort;  but  soon  after,  perceivin*^  the 
Hritish  about  to  cross,  he  returned  with  a  ji;uard  (jf  twenty 
men,  and  kept  possession  diirin«if  the  ni^ht.  The  next 
eveninn;  he  was  joined  by  the  remainder  of  the  j;arrison. 
Three  tiays  afterwards  the  British  batteries  below  fort 
l^irie,  opened  a  fire  on  the  camp  at  IJlack  Rock.  One  of 
(he  barracks  was  destroyed  by  a  shell,  whicii  blew  up  the 
magazine,  but  no  lives  were  lost. 

The  garrison  of  Niagara,  having  been  considerably  re- 
inforced, was  again  attacked  on  the  twenty-first,  from  the 
batteries  of  fort  George.  These  places  are  situated  near- 
ly opposite  each  other,  and  at  the  entrance  of  the  Niagara. 
The  cannonading  continued  from  sun-rise  until  dark,  the 
enemy  throwing  upwards  of  three  thousand  led  hot  shot, 
and  upwards  of  two  hundred  shells;  several  of  the  bar- 
racks and  adjoining  buildings  were  fired,  but,  through  the 
indefatigable  exertions  of  major  Armistead,  of  the  United 
.States  artillery,  the  fire  was  repeatedly  extinguished. 
C'olonel  M'Feeley,  who  commanded  the  fort,  ordered  the 
different  batteries  to  open,  and  the  enemy's  fire  was  re- 
turned with  interest.  Several  houses  in  Newark,  and 
about  the  fort,  were  burnt;  a  schooner  lying  under  its  guns 
was  sunk,  and  one  of  their  batteries  for  a  time  completely 
silenced.  Captain  M'Keon  commanded  in  the  south-east 
block-house,  and  captain  Jack,  of  the  militia  artillery,  in 
the  north-east,  the  situation  most  exposed.  The  different 
batteries  were  commanded  by  lieutenants  Reese  ^nd  Hen- 
dal,  both  of  which  were  very  destructive.  Lieutenant  Gan- 
s<ivoort  commanded  the  bait  battery;  doctor  Cooper  of  the 
militia  had  the  command  of  a  six-pounder.  Lieutenant 
RcCiJe  having  been  wounded,  his  place  was  taken  by  cap- 
tain Leonard,  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  During 
this  severe  bombardment,  we  had  only  four  killed,  and  a 


(levo'v^ 

States 

ti(ui  of 

anothei 

ments  ( 

mer  at 

the  sele 

face  of  1 

tween  f 

commer 

jlect  of 

former  j 

ing  at  li 

about  pi 

then  hac 

most  eff 

clamatio 

of  the  A 

ry  part  ( 

ence  the 

ed;  they 

of  the  re 

attended 

and  the  ( 


HISTORY  OF  TFIR  WAR. 


77 


small  nuiubor  .woimdod,  aunorvj;  whom  was  lIouloDanf 
'riioinas.  C'olonol  M'Fot'ley  sp(»ki»  in  lii<j;li  terniH  of  rolo- 
lu'l  Gray,  major  Armistead,  captain  Mnllij^an,  and  all  11k» 
otliorollicprs  and  men.  Such  was  their  ai'ddur,  that  hav- 
inu;  oxpondcd  their  wa<ldin;»;,  the  oflicers  tore  otl*  thi^ir 
sliirts  and  the  soldiers  their  pantaloons,  to  he  nsed  for 
that  purpose.  An  extraordinary  i?»stance  of  female  brav- 
ery occurred  on  this  occasion.  The  wife  of  a  connnou 
soldier,  of  the  name  of  Doyle,  taken  prisoner  at  Queens- 
town,  and  carried  to  Montreal,  determined  to  revenue  the, 
treatment  of  her  husband,  volunteered  her  services,  and 
obtained  permission  to  assist  at  one  of  tiu;  haiteries,  where 
she  continued  to  serve  hot  shot  until  tlie  last  .ffun  was  lir- 
ed,  althoui»;lHhe  enemy's  shells  continually  fell  around 
her, and  every  moment  threatened  destruction. 

Shortly  alter  the  unfortunate  battle  of  Queensfown, 
2;eueral  Van  Rensselaer  resiojned  the  command,  which 
devo'ved  on  brigadier  f^eneial  Smyth,  of  the  United 
States  army.  General  Smyth  announcedhis  determina- 
tion of  retrieving  the  honour  of  the  yVmcrican  arms,  by 
another  attempt  on  the  liritish  batteries  and  entrencK- 
ments  on  the  opposite  side.  He  conceived  that  the  for- 
mer attack  had  not  been  conducted  with  judtcment,  in 
the  selection  of  the  point  of  debarkation,  directly  in  the 
face  of  their  batteries,  whereas  it  oua;ht  to  have  been  be- 
tween fort  Erie  and  Chippewa.  This  he  had  at  first  re- 
commended to  ji^eneral  Van  Rensselaer,  and  to  the  ne- 
glect of  his  intimation  he  attributed  the  failure  of  the 
former  attempt.  Having  now  the  sole  command,  and  be- 
ing at  liberty  to  carry  into  execution  his  own  plan,  he  set 
about  preparing  a  force  for  the  purpose;  that  which  he 
then  had  unn  'r  his  command  being  insufticient.  As  the 
most  effectual  mode  to  accomplish  this,  he  issued  a  pro- 
clamation appea'ing  to  the  publick  feeling  and  patriotism 
of  the  American  people,  ana  inviting  volunteers  from  eve- 
ry part  of  the  country.  Every  topick  which  could  influ- 
ence the  hearts  and  minds  of  tlie  people,  was  strongly  urg- , 
ed;  they  were  reminded  of  the  exploits  of  their  ancestors 
of  the  revolution;  of  the  little  honour  which  had  thus  far 
attended  the  prosecution  of  the  war;  the  recent  failure, 
and  the  disgraceful  surrender  of  Hull.    They  were  tohi 


^■f, 


4 

I 


•:  :  ■  .11  ■■ 


-t 


WtW^ 


|f     .; 


.>,%MI.»#t«,.4 


r^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


that  even  tlie  Indians  of  the  IViendly  six  nations  had  of- 
iered  their  services,  but  that,  tiirougli  regard  to  tiie  caii^se 
of  humanity,  he  had  refused  to  follow  a  disgraceful  exam- 
ple, by  letting  ioi:>se  these  barbarous  warriours  upon  the 
inhabitants  ofC^*nada.  He  then  addressed  himself  par- 
ticularly to  the  "Men  of  New-York,"  appealing  to  their 
patriotism,  calling  on  them  to  retrieve  the  late  disaster, 
and  at  ihc  same  time,  by  this  step^  secure  their  wives  and 
children  from  the  predatory  and  murderous  incursions  of 
he  savage.  This  address  was  well  calculated  to  reacli 
the  feelings  of  the  moment,  although  eccentrick  in  its 
strlle,  and  in  some  respects  reprehensible,  particularly  in 
the  reflections  indulged  at  the  expense  of  others.  More- 
over, it  was  not  dictated  by  prudence  as  respected  him- 
self; for  in  case  of  a  possible  failure,  he  would  naturally 
be  exposed  to  ridicule,  for  what  would  then  turn  out  a 
pompous  hnd  inflated  rhodomontade.  It  was,  however, 
not  without  some  effect,  particularly  when  seconded  by 
an  animated  proclamation  from  general  Porter,  of  the 
New-York  militia.  About  the  twenty-seventh  of  Novem- 
b::r,  upwaitls  of  four  thousand  five  hundred  men,  consist- 
ing of  regulars,  and  the  volunteers  from  Pennsylvania, 
New-York  and  Baltimore,  were  collected  at  Buffaloe;  and 
the  officers  were  actively  engaged  in  drilling,  equipping, 
and  organizing  them  for  the  intended  enterprise. 

Seventy  boats,  and  a  number  of  scows,  were  prepared 
for  the  reception  of  the  army,  that  they  might  be  at  once 
Vransported  to  the  Canadian  shore;  but  preparatory  to  the 
principal  attack,  two  detachments,  one  under  colonel 
Boerstler,  and  another  under  captain  King,  received  or- 
ders to  pass  over  before  day;  the  first  to  destroy  abridge, 
about  five  miles  below  fort  Erie,  and  capture  the  guard 
stationed  there;  the  other  to  storm  the  British  batteries. 
Before  they  reached  the  opposite  shore,  the  enemy  open- 
'd  a  heavy  fire;  the  first  cletachment  landed  and  took 
some  prisoners,  but  failed  in  destroying  the  bridge.  The 
other,  under  captain  King,  landed  higher  up  at  the  lied 
House,  drove  the  enemy,  and  then  advanced  to  their  bat^ 
rories,  which  they  stormed,  and  then  spiked  the  cannon. 
Lieutenant  Angus,  with  a  number  of  marines,  accidental- 
ly ,5  oprn-a^ed  firom  captain  King,  and  no  reinforcements 


tains  01 

leaving 

party, 

captainl 

with  al> 

and  led 

touchet 

down  b 

From 

was  reta 

twelve 

at  last 

and  coin 

a  second 

Ice  ted  0 

reive  th( 

iinaccoui 

Mhen  or 

and  disc 

lenced;  1 

made.    ] 

low  the  n 

the  thirtj 

pose.     T 

hundred 

conducti 

and    alio 

wanting  I 

orders  W( 

panied  w 

was  give  I 

made  to  5 

sion  of  i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


'Q. 


arriving  from  the  opposite  side,  they  concluded  that  King 
and  his  party  had  been  taken  prisoners,  and  therefore  re- 
turned. The  party  of  King,  now  consisting  of  seventeen, 
besides  captains  Morgan  and  Sprovvl,  and  nve  other  otli- 
cers,  was  in  full  possession  of  the  works,  while  tlie  enemy 
was  completely  dispersed.  Finding,  at  length,  that  tliey 
could  not  expect  to  be  supported,  they  resolved  to  return; 
but  one  boat  could  be  found  to  transport  them  all;  cap- 
tains Sprovvl  and  Morgan  passed  over  w  ith  the  prisoners, 
leaving  captain  King,  who  was  soon  after,  with  his  small 
party,  surrounded  and  taken  prisoner.  On  the  return  of 
captain  Sprowl,  colonel  Winder  was  ordered  to  pass  over 
with  al>out  three  hundred  men.  He  instantly  embaiked, 
and  led  the  van.  His  own  boat  was  the  only  «me  which 
touched  the  opposite  shore,  the  others  having  been  swept 
down  by  the  swiftness  of  the  current. 

From  various  causes  the  embarkation  of  the  main  body 
was  retarded  much  beyond  the  appointed  time,  so  that  ik 
twelve  o'clock  in  the  day,  about  two  thousand  men  were 
at  last  ready  to  move.  General  Tannehill's  volunteers, 
and  colonel  M'Clure's  regiment,  were  drawn  up  ready  for 
a  second  embarkation.  The  enemy  by  this  time  had  col- 
lected on  the  op[;Osite  shore,  and  appeared  ready  to  re- 
c«.'ive  them.  The  departure  of  our  troops  was  in  the  most 
unaccountable  manner,  delayed  until  late  in  the  afternoon, 
^\hen  orders  weie  given  to  debark.  Much  murmuring 
ami  discontents  ensued;  which  were  in  some  measure  si- 
lenced; by  assurances  that  another  attempt  would  be 
made.  It  was  now  resolved  to  land  about  five  miles  be- 
low the  navy-yard;  and  accordingly,  on  Monday  evening, 
the  thirty-ninth,  all  the  boats  were  collected  for  the  pur- 
ose.  The  whole  body,  with  the  exception  of  about  two 
undred  men,  were  embarked  at  four  o'clock;  the  men 
conducting  tiiemselves  with  great  order  and  obedience, 
and  atibrtling  every  hope  of  success.  Notlnng  was 
wanting  but  the  word  to  move;  when,  after  some  delay, 
orders  were  suddenly  given  for  the  whole  to  land,  accom- 
panied with  a  declaration,  that  the  invasion  of  Canada 
was  given  over  for  that  season,  while  arrangements  were 
made  to  go  into  winter  quarters.  One  universal  expres- 
sion of  indignation  bur*t  forth;  the  greater  part  of  the 


I 


I     k     1 


I 


ii 


% 


80 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


militia  flirew  down  their  arms,  and  returned  to  their 
homes,  and  those  who  remained  continually  threatened 
the  life  of  the  ji^eneral.  Severe  recriminations  passed  be- 
tween him  and  general  Porter,  who  accused  him  of  cow- 
ardice and  of  unofliger-l ike  deportment.  General  Smyth, 
in  vindication  of  his  conduct,  alleged  that  he  had  posi- 
tive instructions  not  to  risk  an  invasion  with  less  than 
three  thousand  men,  and  that  the  number  embarked  did 
not  exceed  fifteen  hundred.  Be  this  as  it  may,  great  dis- 
satisfaction was  excited  through  the  country,  and  his  mil- 
itary reputation,  from  that  time,  rapidly  declined  in  pub- 
lick  estimation.  This  affair  had  certainly  an  unfavoura- 
ble aspect,  and  was  not  only  prejudicial  to  our  affairs  in 
<i:eneral,  but  exceedingly  discouraging  to  the  nation. 
Throughout  the  whole  of  this  year,  we  were  continually 
suffering;  the  effects  of  our  total  want  of  expenence  in  war. 
Kvery  thing  seemed  to  baffle  our  calculations,  and  to 
dis;ippoint  our  hopes,  particularly  in  our  movements 
against  Canada,  although  many  acts  of  gallantry  were 
performed  both  by  regulars  and  militia. 

l(:  is  now  time  to  turn  our  attention  to  the  northern 
army,  collecting  on  the  borders  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  But 
little  was  done  in  this  quarter,  until  late  in  the  autumn. 
At  the  declaration  of  war,  but  a  small  number  of  troops 
were  stationed  at  any  point  along  this  frontier:  and  it 
would  necessarily  rcc|uire  a  considerable  length  of  time 
b'ifore  the  militia  could  be  embodied  and  marched,  or  the 
the  regular  troops,  tiewly  enlisted  or  already  on  foot, 
co'sid  })Q  collected  from  over  an  immense  surface  of 
country  such  as  ours.  It  was  confidently  calculated,  that 
the  upper  provinces  of  Canada  would  fall  an  easy  con- 
quest to  our  troops  of  the  northwestern  army,  and  of  the 
army  of  the  centre,  which  might  then  move  down,  and 
join  those  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  and,  long  before  the  winter, 
the  war  would  be  carried  to  Montreal.  But  the  unexpect- 
ed and  lamentable  surrender  of  Hull,  produced  a  total 
change  in  the  situation  of  affairs.  It  was  not  until  late 
in  the  autumn,  that  any  thing  worthy  of  note  occurred  in 
the  northern  army. 

()i\  tlie  fifteenth  of  September,  twenty-five  barges  of 
(he  British  passed  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  were  attack- 


I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


dt 


ed  by  a  party  of  militia  from  Ogdeiisburg,  and  after  a 
severe  contest,  the  enemy  was  forced  to  abandon  their 
boats,  and  fly  for  shelter  to  the  woods;  but  soon  after,  re- 
ceivinis  reinforcements,  they  compelled  tlie  militia  to  re- 
tire. Sometime  after  this,  captain  Forsyth  made  an  in- 
cursion into  tile  enemy's  country,  with  a  party  of  his 
riflemen,  and  after  twice  defeating;  a  body  of  re<i;ulars  of 
superiour  numbers,  burnt  a  bloc/k  house,  containinsi;  the 
publick  stores,  and  returned  with  the  loss  of  only  one 
man.  In  revenge  for  that  attack,  tlie  llritisli,  on  the 
second  of  October,  determined  to  attempt  tlie  destruction 
of  Oo-densburg.  A  heavy  fire  was  opened  from  the  breast- 
works, at  the  village  of  Prescott,  situated  nearly  oppo- 
site. On  the  fourtli,  they  attempted  to  cross  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  storm  the  town,  and  embarked  in  forty 
boats,  with  about  fifteen  men  in  each;  but  they  were 
warmly  received  by  e;eneral  Brown,  of  the  New-York 
militia,  who  commanded  here  in  person.  A  sharp  action 
continr.ed  for  nearly  two  hours,  when  they  were  compel- 
led to  abandon  their  design,  leavinss;  one  of  the  boats  in 
our  hands,  and  suffering  a  considerable  loss. 

Colonel  Pike,  to  whose  zeal  and  indefatigable  exer- 
tions, tlie  army  was  even  at  this  time  much  indebted,  on 
the  nineteenth  passed  into  the  enemy's  territory,  surpris- 
ed a  blockhouse  defended  by  a  considerable  body  of 
English  and  Indians,  put  them  to  flight,  and  destroyed  the 
publick  stores.  Skirmishes  like  these  were  not  unfre- 
<juent,  until  the  close  of  autumn,  and  even  occurred  dur-< 
ing  the  winter;  but  nothing  of  moment  transpired  in  this 
quarter,  until  the  beginning  of  the  year. 

A  new  scene  of  warfare  was  about  to  open,  upon  those 
vast  inland  seas,  which  constitute  so  remarkable  a  fea- 
ture of  our  continent.  For  the  first  time,  tiieir  waves 
v/ere  to  be  lighted  up  with  all  the  sublimity  of  naval  ccnn- 
bat:  and  they  soon  bore  witness  to  achievements  as 
glorious  as  those  which  immortalized  our  heroes  on  the 
ocean.  In  consequence  of  the  failure  of  our  arms  at  De- 
troit, it  became  necessary  to  form  a  navy  on  the  lakes. 
We  were  now  without  a  single  armed  vessel  on  lake 
Erie,  and  our  whole  force  on  lake  Ontario  was  the  br;g 
Oneida,  sixteen  guns,  commanded  by  lieutenant  V'^'i'sey, 


I 


82 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ii 


ii'ii 


,,j-j;    j 


In  October,  commodore  Cliauncey,  with  a  body  of  stumerv, 
arrived  at  Sackett's  Harbour,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
this  design  into  elfect;  he  instantly  purcliased  every 
trader  ca])able  of  beinjj;  fitted  up  as  a  vessel  of  war,  and 
ordered  lieutenant  Elliot,  as  we  have  seen,  to  organize 
a  naval  force  on  Lake  Erie.  That  his  preparations  pr  •  - 
ceeded  with  rapidity,  cannot  be  doubted,  when  we  fin(', 
that  on  the  sixth  of  November  he  considered  himself  able 
to  contend  with  the  enemy's  whole  force.  Having  re- 
ceived information  that  the  enemy's  fleet  had  sailed 
down  the  lake,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  up  reinforce- 
ments to  fort  George,  he  determined  to  intercept  him  at 
the  False  Dukes  on  his  way  up.  The  force  of  commo- 
dore Chauncey,  created  in  this  short  space  of  time,  was 
composed  of  the  Oneida,  sixteen  guns,  in  which  he  sailed; 
the  Governour  Tompkins,  lieutenant  13row?i,  six  guns;  the 
Growler,  lieutenant  Mix,  of  five  guns;  the  Conquest,  hev 
tenant  Elliot;  of  two  guns;  the  Pert,  Arundle,of  two  guns; 
and  the  Julia,  Trant,  of  one  thirty  pounder;  making  in  all 
thirty-two  guns.  The  vessels  of  the  enemy,  which  were 
supposed  to  have  passed  up  the  lakes,  constituted  nearly 
the  whole  force  ot  the  British,  and  consisted  of  tho,  iloyal 
George,  twenty-six  guns;  ship  F2arl  Moira,  t  iteep  g'lns; 
schooners  Prince  Regent,  eighteen  guns;  Duke  of  Glou- 
cester, fourteen  guns;  Tare'^;  fourteen  guns;  Govern- 
our Simcoe,  twelve  fiuns. 

On  the  eighth,  the  squadron  fell  in  with  the  R(;yal 
George,  but  lost  sight  of  her  during  the  night,  having  chas- 
ed her  into  the  bay  of  Quanti.  In  the  morning  she  was 
discovered  in  Kingston  channel.  The  commodore  had 
made  up  his  mind  to  board  her;  but  the  wind  blowing 
directly  in,  and  the  enemy  being  too  well  protected  by 
the  guns  of  the  batteries,  he  changed  his  intention.  The 
next  moining  he  beat  up  in  good  order,  and  commenced 
an  attack  on  the  Royal  George,  under  a  heavy  fire  both 
from  this  ship  and  from  the  batteries.  The  Conquest,  the 
Julia,  *\e  Pert,  and  the  Growler,  pushed  forward  in  suc- 
cession; afterward-  tiie  brig  General  Hamilton,  and  the 
Governour  Tompkins;  shortly  after,  the  whole  fire  of  the 
u;)i  eries  ivas  turned  upon  the  brig,  and  continued  hot  on 
Ibr'fh  sides  for  an  hour,  when  the  Royal  George  cut  her 


•   ■*,-  ■*y 


^^' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 


85 


tables,  and  ran  high  ^,r  up  tlie  bay.    The  s(;uadron  being 
now  exposed  to  the  cross  fire  of  the  batter?  js,  and  not 
deeming  it  prudent  to  pursue  the  Royal  George,  hauled 
ort'  to  the  wind,  and  made  sail  out  of  tlie  bay.     This  was 
certainly  a  most  daring  exploit,  and,  to  say  the  least  of  it, 
merited  success.     The  Royal  George  suitered  severely  in 
her  hull;  the  shot  from  the  gun  vessels  struck  her  frequent- 
ly, wliiie  tiie  loss  of  commodore  Chauncey  was  very  ir- 
considerable.     Tlie  commander  of  the  Pert,  Arundel,  was 
wounded  by  the  bursting  of  her  gun,  but  refusing  to  quit 
the  deck,  was  knocked  overboard  and  drowned.     The 
commodore  captured  a  schooner  off  the  harbour,  and  sent 
the  Growle/  as  lier  convoy  past  the  entrance,  for  tlie  pur- 
pose of  decoying  the  Royal  George,  but  without  success. 
8he  then  sailed  with  her  prize  for  Sackett's  Harbour.     On 
her  way  she  discovered  the  Prince   Regent   and  Earl 
Moira,  convoying  a  sloop  to  Kingston;  she  immediately 
concealed  herself  behindf  a  point,  and  when  tlie  armed 
vessels  had  passed,  she  ran  out  and  captured  the  schoon- 
er, and  brought  her  into  Sackett's  Harbour,     'i'he  prize 
had  on  board  twelve  thousand  dollars  in  specie,  and  the 
baggage  of  general  Brock,  with  captain  Brock,  the  broth- 
er of  th?i  officer.     Commodore  Chauncey  soon  after  ar- 
riving, received  the  intelligence  respecting  the  Earl  Moi- 
ra, and  immediately  set  off  in  the  midst  of  a  severe  storm, 
to  intercept  her  at  the  False  Ducks;  but  returned  to  the 
Harbour  without  being  able  to  fall  in  with  her. 

He  now  occupied  himself  chiefly  in  superintend  in;:  the 
new  ship  Madison,  which  was  launched  on  the  iw  nty- 
sixth  of  November.  The  winter  set  in  soon  after,  and  jjut 
-an  end  to  any  further  naval  incident  for  tlie  season. 


•t     '? 


'^^M^ 


*«i,*i«««tfflii^j^»;,a,i^.^j„^  , 


84 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


ti  n'' 


CHAPTER  V. 

AFcoting  of  Coii{;ross— Pmposal  for  an  Armistico — lioversos  of  Napo. 
Icon — Mc'.tsuf(>s  for  caiTvinp;  on  the  Wai — Ulock.'xic  ot  our  coast — 
The  Southern  lisdinns — 'I'ecuniseh's  visit  to  the  Creeks— Wav  vith 
the  ScniinoU\s — Third  naval  victory  over  a  Urilish  Frigatt — Disas- 
ters of  our  Anns  to  the  West.  • 

1  UK  coiigiess  of  tlie  United  States  .igain  assembled  on 
the  foiiitli  of  November,  after  a  recess  unusually  short, 
on  account  of  the  new  and  interesting  state  of  our  affairs. 
Party  spirit  unfortunately  prevailed  amons;  us  with  unu- 
sual warmth,  and  it  was  not  difficult  to  foretell  that  no 
small  portion  would  find  its  way  into  the  national  coun- 
cils. Recriminations  of  French  influence,  and  improper 
submission  to  the  outrages  of  Great  Britain,  very  much 
embittered  this  animosity.  The  existence  of  party  spirit 
is  necessary  and  healthful  to  our  political  system;  it  is 
the  current  of  the  stream,  which  preserves  it  pure  and  un- 
tainted. In  despotisms  ther  is  no  party  spirit;  there  all 
is  condicted  in  the  darkness  and  secrecy  of  intrigue. 
But  party  has  its  evils.  In  peace,  it  renovates  the  flag- 
ging energies  of  the  Tjation,  and  keeps  all  things  pure  and 
sound;  on  the  contrary,  in  a  period  of  war,  this  animosity 
may  clog  tl'C  efforts  or  the  party  in  power,  and  may  be  a 
useful  ally  to  the  enemy.  Unfortunately  there  prevailed 
a  strong  dispositioii  to  thwart  the  measures  of  the  admin- 
istration, and  in  this  way  compel  it  to  sue  for  peace,  with- 
out perhaps  sufliciently  reflecting,  that  the  enemy  might 
not  be  disposed  tojirant  it,  upon  other  terms  than  such  as 
wor 'd  be  «is?graceful  to  the  nation.  It  is  not  becoming  a 
true  lovfcT  of  his  country,  to  desire  that  the  government, 
with  which  th-i  nation,  as  respects  others,  is  identified, 
should  IsL'  dis'^raced,  in  order  that  power  may  be  trans- 
/erred  to  better  hands.  This  would  not  be  the  maxim  of 
'\VashingV>n.  But  on  this  subject  it  is  difficult,  if  not  im- 
possible, lo  ilraw  the  exact  line  between  a  manly  and 
laudable  opposition  to  what  we  conceive  to  be  wrong,  ami 
such  intemperance  as  may  endanger  the  character  and 
safety  of  trie  country.     In  one  of  the  eastern  state?, 


where 

voted 

cess  ( 

asliain 

The 

a  wish 

sistent 

of  war 

orders 

ties;  a 

of  wha 

of  the  j 

pealed 

regard 

count; 

cease. 

war,  th 

ties,  uii 

ment  c 

practic( 

the  mea 

ployme 

Kind. 

Short 

sition  f( 

of  Cana 

Americ 

a  cessat 

that  the 

during  t 

was  aft€ 

ffuired  i 

armies  s 

to  our  CI 

«|uence  ( 

us  to  tal< 

our  armir 

lias  ever 

from  Gr 

was  she 

for,  by  ti 


HISTORY  OV   rilB  WAR, 


xvlieVe  ilie  opposition  to  the  war  was  most  violent:  it  was 
voter!  to  be  iiniiiorai  and  impolitiek  to  rejoice  at  the  suc- 
cess of  our  arms;  of  this  vote  they  afterwards  became 
asliained,  and  ordered  it  to  be  erased  from  tlieir  journals. 

The  administration,  soon  after  the  war,  had  manifested 
a  wish  for  the  restoration  of  peace,  could  it  be  done  con- 
sistently with  prurience.  About  the  time  of  the  declara- 
of  war  in  tins  country,  the  prince  regent  had  rej)€al('d  his 
orders  in  council,  one  of  the  principal  causes  of  hostili- 
ties; an  act,  which  was  by  no  means  dictated  by  a  sense 
of  what  was  due  to  justice  and  to  us,  but  by  the  ur«i;ency 
of  the  particular  interests  of  Great  Britain.  Having  re- 
pealed them,  he  considered  himself  entitled  to  the  same 
regard  tis  if  they  had  been  expressly  repealed  on  our  ac- 
count; and  demanded  that  hostilities,  on  our  part,  should 
cease.  To  this  the  president  replied,  tliat  being  now  at 
war,  the  United  States  would  not  put  an  end  to  hostili- 
ties, unless  a  provision  were  made  for  a  general  settle- 
ment of  difterences,  and  a  cessation  of  the  abominable 
practice  of  impressment,  petiding  the  negociation.  In 
the  meantime,  a  law  would  be  passed  forbiddiii'^  the  em- 
ployment of  British  seamen  in  our  vessels,  of  whatsoever 
kind.     A  law  to  this  effect  was  passed  during  the  session. 

Shortly  after  the  commencement  of  the  war,  a  proj)o- 
sition  for  an  armistice  had  been  made  by  (he  governour 
of  Canada,  but  was  rejected  as  a  matter  of  comse.  The 
American  minister  in  I^ondon,  was  authorised  to  agree  to 
a  cessation  of  hostilities,  even  on  the  unofficial  assurance 
that  the  practice  of  impressment  would  be  discontinued, 
during  the  armistice.  This  was  rejected.  A  proposition 
was  afterwards  made  by  admiral  Warren,  but  wliich  re- 
f(uired  as  a  preliminary  to  every  other  step,  tha  our 
armies  should  be  immediately  witlidrawn,  and  the  orders 
to  our  cruisers  recalled.  This  he  alleged,  was  in  conse- 
«|uence  of  our  being  the  aggressors,  and  as  such  it  became 
us  to  take  the  first  step,  and  unconditionally  throw  down 
our  arms.  Here  it  might  be  asked,  whether  this  country 
has  ever  experienced  so  mucli  good  faith  and  forbearance 
from  Great  Britain,  as  to  justify  such  confidence?  But 
was  she  not  the  aggressor,  by  her  own  acknowledgement? 
for,  by  the  repeal  of  the  orders  in  council,  if  on  oiu'  ac- 

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count,  she  acknowledoed  herself  to  have  violate<Pcui 
neutral  rights.  Moreover,  it  was  well  known  that  she 
had,  at  that  moment,  more  than  two  thousand  impressed 
American  seamen,  confined  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  per- 
sisted in  refusin}^  every  arrangement  which  might  reme- 
dy in  future  the  odious  practice.  So  strangely  inconsis- 
tent are  tlie  pretexts  of  mjustice.  These  attempts  at  re- 
conciliation had  failed,  wlien  the  emperour  of  Russia  in- 
terposed Ills  mediation,  which^  on  the  part  of  our  govern- 
ment, was  instantly  accepted:  on  being  made  known  to 
KnglaHd,  it  was  declined,  as  being  incompatible  with  her 
naval  interests;  but  she  professed  a  willmgness  to  enter 
into  a  direct  negociation;  this,  it  will  be  seen,  was  merely 
thrown  out  as  a  pretext,  to  prolong  the  war  at  her  plea- 
sure. 

A  most  important  change  had  taken  place  in  the  affairs 
of  Europe.  Napoleon  had  experienced  a  reverse,  pro- 
portioned to  the  vastness  of  his  designs.  This  man,  in- 
toxicated with  liis  former  success,  and  with  the  vile  flat- 
tery  which  is  always  paid  to  the  despot,  had  begun  to 
think  himself  more  than  mortal.  It  is  thought  that  he 
had  conceived  the  idea  of  universal  empire,  naturally 
enough  the  ultimate  object  of  a  conqueror;  for  what  con- 
queror ever  set  bounds  to  his  ambition?  The  vanity  of 
hi^  scheme,  if  any  such  ever  entered  his  head,  of  bringing 
all  Europe  to  his  feet,  of  mastering  the  fleet  of  England, 
and  then  extending  his  power  over  the  globe,  was  now 
fully  demonstrated.  The  joy  which  many  of  our  fellow 
citizens  expressed  on  this  occasion,  was  perhaps  ill  judged. 
The  fall  of  a  despot  and  a  tyrant,  is  certainly  an  agreeable 
theme  to  a  republican;  but  the  immediate  connexion  of  this 
event  with  our  welfare,  was  not  easily  traced.  It  was 
very  evident  that  the  enmity  both  of  France  and  England 
towards  this  country,  proceeded  from  the  same  cause, 
and,  considering  human  nature,  a  very  natural  cause; 
to  wit,  the  circumstance  of  our  prospering  and  growing 
rich  from  their  dissentions.  We  had  but  litt!(»  to  fear 
that  we  should  be  molested  by  any  European  j  awer,  at- 
tempting to  concjuer  our  vast  country;  and  as  to  univer- 
sal domuiion,  England,  in  her  claim  to  the  sovereignty 
of  the  seas,  alrea<ly  possessed  it,  as  far  as  the  thing,  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  AVAR. 


'tis  nature,  was  capable  of  being  possossod.  As  to  Eu- 
rope, the  mad  attempt  of  Napoleon  had  been  followed 
b\  an  overthrow  so  complete,  that  so  far  from  being  dan- 
<rerous  to  its  repose  in  future,  it  became  a  matter  of  doubt, 
with  very  enlightened  politicians,  whether  he  would  be 
able  to  maintain  his  own  ground,  and  whctlier  if  France 
were  reduced  to  a  second  rate  power,  Europe  would  not 
have  to  fear  a  more  formidable  enemy  in  Russia.  Noth- 
ing but  the  pacilick  temper  of  the  present  sovereign, 
would  be  a  guarantee  to  the  safety  of  the  neiglibouriiig 
nations.  The  consequence  of  the  rapitl  decline  of  the 
power  of  Napoleon,  would  be  higldy  favourable  to  Eng- 
land, in  the  disposal  of  her  forces  againsi  this  country; 
and  elated  by  her  success  against  France,  it  was  not 
probable  that  she  would  feel  much  disposition  to  treat 
with  us  on  reasonable  terms. 

The  first  business,  on  the  meeting  of  congress,  with  a 
view  to  the  war,  which  now  occupied  its  chief  attention, 
was  the  providing  an  additional  forc^^.  Enlistments  had 
been  extremely  slow,  and  sufficient  encouragement  had 
not  been  held  out  for  recruits.  It  was  proposed  to  re- 
ceive into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  twenty  thou- 
sand volunteers,  for  a  year,  to  be  clothed  and  paid  in  the 
same  manner  as  regular  troops.  The  inefiiciency  of 
mere  militia,  under  no  discipline,  and  under  no  control, 
had  been  suThciently  seen,  both  during  the  present  and 
the  revolutionary  war.  But  there  was  no  mode  of  reme- 
dying the  evil;  for  regular  soldiers  could  not  be  raised,  or 
at  least,  in  sufHcient  numbers. 

The  navy  attracted  much  attention.  On  this  subject: 
there  prevailed  the  most  perfect  unanimity;  and  it  was 
resolved,  that  it  sliould  be  fostered  as  the  best  and  safest 
reliance  of  our  country.  Such  as  might  have  once  been 
inimical  to  it,  became  its  warmest  friends.  The  national 
legislature  now  engaged  with  great  assiduity,  in  devising 
such  measures  as  were  necessary  for  a  vigorous  prosecu- 
tion of  the  war,  and  as  would  tend  to  remedy  the  evils 
already  experienced. 

The  seaboard,  although  sometimes  threatened  by  the 
enemy,  had  not  yet  experienced  any  serious  molestation. 
In  the  nionth  of  December,  the  whole  coast  was  proclaim- 


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<mI  in  a  sfate  of  blockade,  hut  with  no  force  actually  ap- 
plied. This  paper  blockade  liad  no  pretence  of  retalia- 
lion,  like  that  declared  against  the  coast  of  France;  and 
the  United  States  did  not  clioose  to  follow  an  example  so 
contrary  to  tlie  laws  of  nations,  and  in  turn  declare  the 
coast  ol  England  in  a  slate  of  blockade,  and  under  that 
pretence  interrupt  the  commerce  of  neutrals,  ^oin^  to  her 
ports.  The  British  vessels  were  chieflj  employed  in  tiie 
protection  of  her  commeice  against  our  cruisers,  and  her 
attention  was  so  much  taken  up  with  the  mighty  alfaiis 
which  were  then  passing  on  the  conlinent,  tliat  we  for- 
tunately remained,  during  this  season,  unmolested;  at 
least  our  homes  and  our  firesides  were  not  disturbed. 

A  war,  however,  threatened  us  in  another  quarter,  to 
which  we  now  looked  with  no  small  anxiety,  'riie 
southern  Indians,  equally  ferocious  in  their  modes  ot' 
warfare,  and  perhaps  more  daring  than  the  northern, 
began  to  exliibit  signs  of  hostility.  No  people  had  ever 
less  cause  to  comj)lain.  The  Creeks,  within  the  territc- 
lial  liinils  of  the  United  States,  had  been  uniformly  pro- 
lected  by  the  Americans;  intruders  upon  their  lands 
wcic  turned  oft'  at  the  point  of  the  bayonei;  immense 
sums  were  expended  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  them  the 
arts  of  civilized  life;  persons  were  employed  to  reside 
among  them,  for  the  purpose  of  teacliing  those  arts,  and 
iinplcments  of  agriculture  were  furnished  at  the  publick 
expense.  This  humane  system,  commenced  hy  Wash- 
ington, was  strictly  pursued  by  subsequent  administra- 
tions. Tiie  effects  were  visible  in  the  course  of  a  few 
vears.  Their  country  and  climate,  probably  the  best 
In  the  United  States,  were  capable  of  affording  every 
thing  essential  to  their  happiness.  The  domestick  arts 
had  taken  root  amongst  tiiem;  that  strong  stinmlant  to 
industry,  separate  property  on  the  soil,  M^as  beginning 
to  be  understood,  they  possessed  numerous  herds,  and 
all  the  domestick  animals;  their  situation  was,  in  every 
respect,  equal  to  that  of  the  peasants  in  many  parts  of 
Europe.  They  had  thrown  off  their  clothing  of  skins, 
and  wore  cottons  of  their  own  manufacture;  and  their 
population  was  rapidly  increasing.  They  had  always 
lived  on  terms    of  friendship  with  the   United  States; 


HISTORY  OF  THE  W  AH. 


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their  lands  liad  never  been  cncroacljcd  upon;  and  flioy 
had  hocome  considerably  intermixed,  by  nuirria<!;cs,  witli 
the  whites.  Accordino;  to  one  oF  tlieir  laws,  no  vvliite 
man,  except  the  Jndian  aj;»ent,  is  permitted  to  reside  in 
their  territory,  uidess  he  marries  a  native. 

The  benevolent  societies  of  the  United  States,  liad 
opened  schools  through  the  country,  for  the  puipose  of 
giving  the  finishing  to  this  state  of  manners;  for  in  every 
other  respect  thev  had  entirely  thrown  otf  the  savajie 
habits.  Nearly  the  same  state  of  imjjrovement  existed 
auionji'st  the  other  tribes,  the  Choctaws,  Chickasaws,  and 
the  Cherokees.  The  same  regular  industry  was  visible 
in  die  villages  of  tliese  people,  in  their  daily  occupations, 
in  iheir  cultivation  of  the  soil;  in  their  attention  to  tlieir 
lands,  and  even  in  the  ccmstructiou  of  their  dwellings, 
which  in  many  cases,  were  built  by  white  carpenters 
employed  for  the  purpose,  and  little  infeiior  to  the 
Ceiierali^y  of  white  settlers.  So  far,  indeed,  had  this 
civilization  advanced,  that  the  luxuries  of  coflee  and 
sugar,  and  many  other  articles,  had  been  introduced 
among  them;  and  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  their 
women  riding  to  some  neighbouring  town,  dressed  in 
neat  cotton  garments  of  their  own  weaving,  on  side- 
saddles manufactured  by  the  whites,  which  had  cost 
them  twenty-five  or  thirty  dollars.  Many  of  them  had 
slaves,  who  laboured  in  the  fields,  or  were  employed  in 
the  various  occupations  of  the  households 

To  seduce  these  people  into  a  wait  would  be  an  act  of 
cruelty  to  them,  ana,  hostilities  on  their  part,  would  be 
the  extreme  of  folly.  For  although,  if  united,  their  num 
bers  would  be  thrice  that  of  the  northern  Indians,  yet 
being  completely  surrounded  by  white  settlements,  their 
destruction  must  be  inevitable.  The  United  States'  agent, 
colonel  Hawkins,  an  enlightened  man,  had  devotecl  his 
life  to  the  civilization  of  these  unfortunate  people,  and 
had  acquired  a  considerable  ascendency.  But,  amongst 
them,  there  was  a  large  portion  of  the  idle  and  the  worth- 
less, who  had  been  too  lazy  to  acquire  property,  and  wiio 
were  inclined  to  return  to  the  old  state  of  savage  manners, 
because  more  favoura'4.^  to  their  loose,  unrestrained  pro- 
pensities, than  the  habits  newly  introduced,  which  they 
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HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


preten(!ed  to  despise.  During  the  summer,  while  war 
raged  on  the  northern  frontier,  the  disorderly  Creeks' 
began  to  show  much  uneasiness;  they  collected  in  small 
bands,  roamed  about  the  country,  committed  depredations 
on  the  property  of  the  well-ordered  class,  and  often  upon 
the  whites.  Shortly  after  the  surrender  of  Hull,  this  dis- 
position broke  out  into  open  violence.  A  party  of  these 
vagabond  Muscogees  fell  upon  some  people,  who  were 
descending  the  Mississippi,  and  murdered  them  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Ohio.  The  affair  was  represented  to  the 
nation,  who  caused  the  perpetrators  to  be  seized  and  put 
to  death.  A  civil  war,  soon  after,  was  the  consequence, 
in  which  the  savage  part,  as  might  be  expected,  prevailed; 
and  the  greater  number  of  those  who  haci  been  friendly  to 
the  United  States,  were  either  obliged  to  fly,  or  to  join 
their  standard. 

Other  causes  contributed  to  bring  about  this  ruinous 
state  of  things.  The  celebrated  chief,  Tecumseh,  had,  the 
year  before,  visited  all  the  southern  tribes,  for  the  p'lrpose 
(}(  kindling  a  spirit  unfriendly  to  the  United  vStates. 
'I'his  savage  Demosthenes,  wherever  he  went,  called  coun- 
cils of  their  tribes,  and  with  that  bold  and  commanding 
eloquence,  which  he  possessed  in  a  degree  infinitely  su- 
perior to  what  has  ever  been  witnessed  amongst  these 
people,  exhausted  every  topick  calculated  to  operate  on 
their  minds,  and  alienate  their  aft'ections  from  their  bene- 
factors. Amongst  all  these  nations  his  speeches  had 
great  elTect,  but  amongst  the  Creeks  particulaily,  although 
the  more  considerate  rejected  his  interference.  Amid 
the  usual  topicks  of  his  discourses,  he  was  in  the  habit 
of  reproaching  them  with  their  civilization;  and  in  the 
keenest  and  most  s-rcastick  manner,  contrasting  their 
de"enerate  effeminacy,  with  every  thing  that  was  great 
ana  noble  in  the  opinion  of  Indians.  Demosthenes,  in 
his  reproaches  of  his  countrymen,  was  not  more  terribly 
vehement  and  audacious.  Against  the  United  States, 
he  pronounced  the  most  furious  invectives,  which  might 
be  compared  to  the  philippicks  of  the  Grecian  orator;  he 
unquestionably  left  a  strong  impression  on  the  minds  of 
all  the  southern  Indians. 


.lU.itlAMMIUMte-MliSMtti 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


91 


There  existed,  however,  another  more  immediate  cause 
of  their  enmity  towards  us.  The  Seminoles  and  the 
tribes  of  the  Creeks  who  resided  within  the  territory  of 
Spain,  were  frequently  supplied  with  arms  and  prese:jts 
from  the  British  government,  w'th  a  view  of  ene;aging 
them  to  make  war  upon  the  United  States,  and  also  to 
prevail  upon  the  other  Creeks  to  join  them.  The  town 
of  Pensacola,  which  was  then,  to  every  purpose,  under  the 
control  of  XJreat  Britain,  was  tlie  usual  place  at  which 
these  presents  were  distributed,  and  where  the  vagabond 
Indians  could  be  supplied  with  arms;  and  they  resorted 
to  it,  from  all  the  different  tribes,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
ceiving them.  It  was  no  difficult  matter,  thus  to  excite 
hostilities;  unfortunately  the  event  proved  them  but  too 
successful.  Such  was  the  disposition  of  the  southern  In- 
dians, during  the  first  year  of  the  war. 

The  Choctaws,  Chickasaws  and  Cherokees,  the  latter 
particularly,  being  further  removed  from  British  influence, 
and  within  reach  of  our  power,  were  disposed  to  be  friend- 
ly; but  many  of  their  restless  young  men,  in  spitf  ff  the 
nation,  strayed  off  and  joined  our  enemies.  Hostilities 
diti  not  commence  on  the  part  of  any  of  these  Indians, 
witiiin  our  territory,  during  the  first  year  of  the  war. 
The  government,  however,  fearing  the  worst,  called  on  the 
governours  of  Georgia  and  Tennessee,  to  hold  their  militia 
in  readiness;  and  general  Jackson,  at  the  head  of  two 
thousand  men,  early  in  the  spring,  marched  through  the 
Choctaw  and  Chickasaw  country  to  Natchez,  a  distance 
of  five  hundred  miles;  but  every  thing  appearing  peace- 
ful in  this  quarter,  he  shortly  after  returned.  This  expe- 
dition had  the  effect  of  fixing  the  tribes  through  which  it 
passed,  and  of  retarding  the  Creek  war.  The  tribes  with- 
m  the  limits  of  the  Spanish  part  of  Florida,  on  the  con- 
trary, declared  themselves  at  once,  and  brandished  the 
scalping  knife  against  the  frontier  of  Georgia. 

Tne  Seminoles,  very  soon  after  the  declaration  of  war, 
began  to  make  incursions  into  Georgia,  accompanied  by  a 
number  of  negro  runaways,  who  had  taken  refuge  amongst 
them.  They  proceeded  to  the  usual  work  of  murdering 
the  inhabitants,  and  plundering  their  property.  Early  in 
September,  a  party  of  marines  and  about  t^  enty  volun- 


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HISTORY  OF  THE  WAtt. 


teers,  under  captain  Williams,  were  attacked  near  Davis's 
Creek,  by  about  f\i'ty  Indians  and  negroes.  After  a  des- 
perate resistance,  in  which  captains  Williams  and  Fort 
were  both  severely  wounded,  the  party  retreated,  leaving 
the  savages  in  possession  of  their  wagons  and  teams. 

On  the  24th  of  the  same  month,  colonel  Newman,  of 
the  Georgia  volunteers,  with  about  one  hundred  and  se- 
venteen men,  marched  to  the  attack  of  the  Lochway 
towns.  When  within  a  few  miles  of  the  first  of  these, 
lie  met  a  ])arty  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indians  on  horse- 
back, who  instantly  dismounted  and  prepared  for  battle. 
Colonel  Newman  ordered  a  charge,  and  tiie  Indians  were 
driven  into  one  of  the  swamps,  which  abound  in  this  part 
of  f he  countiy.  As  they  fled,  the  fire  of  the  musketry 
did  considerable  execution,  and,  amongst  others  of  the 
slain,  they  left  their  king  in  the  hands  of  the  whites.  The 
Indians  discovering  this,  with  a  spirit  which  deserves  to 
be  admired,  made  several  desperate  charges,  in  order  to 
recover  the  body  of  the  chief,  and  were  each  time  driven 
back.  But  in  another  attempt,  still  more  desperately  fu- 
rious, they  succeeded  in  carrying  off  the  dead  body; 
when  they  retired  from  the  field,  after  a  severe  conflict 
of  two  hours.  This,  however,  did  not  free  the  Georgians 
from  their  unpleasant  situation.  Before  night,  the  In- 
dians returned  with  considerable  reinforcements  of  ne- 
groes, and  after  a  loss  more  severe  than  the  first,  they 
again  fled.  The  volunteers  now  found  their  situation  be- 
coming every  mon^ent  more  critical;  the  number  of  their 
wounded,  would  neither  permit  them  to  retreat,  nor  to  ad- 
vance, and  the  enemy  was  hourly  increasino;  on  all  sides. 
A  messenger  was  despatched  jor  reinforcements;  and  in 
the  meanwhile,  they  threw  up  a  small  breasMvork.  Here 
(hey  remained  until  the  fourth  of  October,  waiting  for  as- 
istance;  having  in  the  meantime  repelled  numerous  as- 
■taults  from  the  Indians,  who  continuea  to  harass  them  day 
\nd  night.  The  Indiajis  observing  that  a  perfect  silence 
)revailed  within  tlie  breast-works,  suspected  that  they  had 
•een  deserted  in  the  night;  and  approached  under  this 
issurance,  until  within  thirt}*  or  lorty  paces,  when  the 
^'eoigians  suddenly  shewed  themselves  above  the  breast- 
vork,  fired  their  pieces,  and  sent  them  yelling  to  the 


rakina:;  at  tl 


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the 
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HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


93 


swamps.  The  volunteers  then  decamped,  and  reached 
unmolested  the  village  of  Peccolatta,  whence  they  had 
set  out.  Intelligence  of  this  affair  reached  the  govern- 
ment about  the  commencement  of  the  session  of  Congress, 
and  it  was  found  necessary  to  make  suitable  prepara- 
tions to  meet  a  war  in  this  quarter.  The  defence  of  this 
important  frontier  was  assigned  to  general  Pinckney»of 
.South  Carolina,  a  gentleman  of  great  distinction  and 
ability,  who  was  appointed  a  brigadier  in  the  service  of 
tin-  United  States. 

Congress  had  not  been  long  in  session,  when  the  pub- 
lick  feelings  were  once  more  excited,  by  news  of  the  most 
flattering  kind.  Another  naval  victory  was  announced, 
not  less  splendid  than  those  of  the  Constitution  and  the 
Macedonian;  the  fla»  of  another  British  frigate  was  trans- 
mitted to  our  capital,  and  was  placed  amongst  the  other 
trophies  of  our  naval  prowess. 

In  October,  the  Constitution,  commodore  Bainbridge, 
and  the  Hornet,  captain  Lawrence,  sailed  from  New- 
York,  and  were  to  effect  a  junction  with  the  Essex,  cap- 
tain Porter,  which  sailed  about  the  same  time  from  the 
Delaware;  the  object  of  which  was  to  cruise  in  the  South 
Seas,  and  destroy  the  British  fisheries  and  commerce  in 
that  quarter.  Ihe  junction  not  happening  at  the  time 
and  place  appointed,  commodore  Porter  passed  round 
Cape  Horn  alone.  In  the  meanwhile,  on  the  twent}'- 
ninth  December,  a  few  leagues  west  of  St.  Salvador,  the 
Constitution,  which  had  a  few  days  before  parted  compa- 
ny with  the  Hornet,  descried  a  British  fiigate.  Commo- 
dore Bainbri('ge  tacked  sail  and  stood  for  her.  At  two 
P.  M.  the  enemy  was  within  half  a  mile  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  to  windward,  liavirig  hauled  down  his  colours, 
except  the  union  jack,  which  was  ^.t  the  mizenmast  head. 
A  gun  was  then  fired  ahead,  to  make  him  shew  his  colours, 
which  was  returned  by  a  broadside.  The  enemy's  co- 
lours being  now  hoisted,  the  action  commenced  with 
round  and  grape;  but  he  kept  at  so  great  a  distance  tliat 
this  had  little  effect:  and  in  this  position,  if  he  were 
brought  nearer,  the  Constitution  would  be  exposed  to 
raking;  at  thirty  minutes  past  two,  both  ships  were  with- 
in good  cannister  distance,  when  the  Constitution's  wheel 


m 


' }  ■■' 


'Mii 


'"■    >:     t 


w 


"'    f 


im*.   'S^ 


94 


HISTORY  OF  THB  WAR. 


was  shot  away.  At  forty  minutes  past  two,  the  fore  antl 
main-sail  were  set,  anu  commodore  Bainbridge,  being 
BOW  determined  to  close  with  her,  luffed  up  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  in  ten  minutes  after,  the  enemy's  jib-boom  got 
foul  of  the  Constitution's  mizen  rigging,  and  in  ano- 
ther ten  minutes,  his  bowsprit  and  jib-boom  were  shot 
away.  At  five  minutes  past  thiee,  his  maintopmast  was 
shot  away  just  above  the  cap.  Tliis  was  followed  by  the 
loss  of  his  gaff  and  spanker  boom,  and  soon  after  his  main- 
mast went  nearly  by  the  board.  At  fifteen  minutes  past 
iliree  the  enemy  was  completely  silenced,  and  his  colours 
at  the  mainmast  being  down,  it  was  thought  he  had  sur- 
remicred;  under  this  idea,  the  Constitution  shot  ahead  to 
repair  damaaes;  after  which  discovering  the  enemy's  flag 
still  flying,  she  wore,  stood  for  him  in  a  handsome  style, 
and  got  close  athwart  his  bows  in  an  effectual  positioiv 
for  raking,  when  his  mainmast  went  entirely  by  the  board, 
and  he  lay  an  unmanageable  wreck.  He  now  struck  his 
colours,  and  was  taken  possession  of  by  lieutenant  Par- 
ker, and  found  to  be  the  British  frigate  Java,  of  thirty- 
eight  guns,  but  carrying  forty-nine,  commanded  by  a  dis- 
tinguished ofliicer,  captain  Lambert,  who  was  mortally 
wounded.  She  had  on  board  four  hundred  men,  besides 
one  hundred  seamen  wliom  she  was  carryina;  out  to  the 
East  Indies,  for  the  service  there.  The  Constitution  had 
nine  men  killed,  and  twenty-five  wounded;  the  Java  six» 
ty  killed,  and  one  himdre(i  and  twenty  wounded.  Slie 
had  on  board  despaiches  for  St.  Helena,  Cape  of  Good 
Hope  and  the  different  establishments  in  the  East  Indies, 
and  China,  with  copper  for  a  seventy-four,  building  at 
Bombay.  There  were  also  on  board  a  number  of  passen- 
gers, among  whom  v;ere  lieutenant  general  Hislop,  gov- 
vernour  of  Bombayj  major  Walker;  and  one  staff  major; 
captain  Marshall,  master  and  commander  of  tl\e  Royal 
Navy;  and  several  officers  appointed  to  ships  in  the  East 
Indies. 

The  conduct  of  all  the  American  officers  on  this  occa- 
sion, was  as  conspicuous  for  gallantry  during  the  engage- 
ment, as  for  humanity  to  the  vanquished.  It  is  this  true 
chivalrick  courtesy,  which  gives  estimation  to  valour, 
lieutenant  Aylwin,  so  favourably  known  to  the  reader, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


93 


ore  antl 
J,  being 
hat  pur- 
loom  got 
in  ano- 
sre  shot 
[last  was 
d  by  the 
lis  main- 
jtes  past 
3  colours 
had  sur- 
ahead  to 
my's  flag 
me  style, 
position, 
he  board, 
truck  his 
lant  Par- 
)f  thirty- 
by  a  dis- 
mortally 
besides 
it  to  the 
ition  had 
Java  six* 
ed.     She 
of  Good 
st  Indies, 
ng  at 
f  passen- 
op,  gov- 
|ff  major; 
e  Royal 
the  East 

lis  occa- 

engage- 

Ithis  true 

valour, 

reader, 


received  a  severe  wound  of  which  he  soon  after  died. 
He  was  in  the  act  of  firing  his  pistols  at  the  enemy  from 
the  quarter  deck  hammocK,  when  he  received  a  ball  in  his 
shoulder  blade,  which  threw  him  on  the  deck.  Midship- 
man Dulany,  who  had  fought  by  his  side  in  both  actions 
of  this  ship,  ordered  two  men  of  his  division  to  carry  him 
below;  to  this  he  would  not  consent,  until  he  saw  tne  is- 
sue of  the  battle,  at  the  same  time  declaring  that  no  man 
should  quit  his  post  on  his  account.  Lieutenant  Parker, 
James  Dulany,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  James  Packett,  of 
Virginia,  were  much  distinn:uished;  the  latter  was  after- 
wartls  presented  with  a  sword  by  h.is  native  state,  and 
was  promoted  to  a  lieutenancy.  Many  extraordinary  in- 
stances of  bravery  were  manifested  by  the  seamen,  one 
of  whom,  after  being  mortally  wounded,  lay  upon  deck 
during  a  great  part  of  the  action,  apparently  expiring; 
but  no  sooner  was  it  announced  that  the  enemy  had 
struck,  than  he  raised  himself  up,  gave  three  cheers,  fell 
back  and  expired. 

On  the  first  of  January,  the  commodore  finding  the 
ri'/.e  in  such  a  state  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  bring 
ler  in,  and  leaving  every  thing  on  board  except  the  pri- 
soners' baggage,  blew  her  up.  On  arriving  at  .St.  Salva- 
dor the  commodore  received  the  publick  acknowledge- 
ments of  governour  Hislop,  who  presented  him  with  an 
elegant  sword  in  consideration  of  the  polite  treatment 
which  he  had  shewn.  He  released  the  private  passen- 
gers without  considering  them  as  prisoners;  the  publick 
passengers,  officers  and  crew,  were  released  on  their  pa- 
role. At  this  place  the  Constitution  met  with  the  Hornet, 
and  leaving  this  vessel  to  blockade  the  Bonne  Citoyenne, 
tlie  commodore  sailed  for  the  United  States,  changing  the 
original  destination  for  the  South  Seas. 

On  the  arrival  of  commodore  Bainbridge  in  the  United 
iStates,  he  was  universally  hailed  by  the  applauses  of  liis 
countrymen;  he  received  the  freedom  of  the  city  of  New- 
York  in  a  gold  box;  a  piece  of  plate  from  the  citizens  of 
Philadelphia,  and  the  tbanks  of  many  of  the  state  legisla- 
tures. Congress  also  presented  him  a  medal,  and  voted 
fifty  thousand  dollars  to  himself,  officers  and  crew. 


I 


: :  m 


m 


■  1 1 
1" '  > 


';t  'i 


%  HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 

In  the  midst  of  these  alfairs,  news  of  fresh  disasters  to 
the  westward,  and  accompanied  by  circumstances  such 
as  rarely  occur  w  the  annals  of  historjj  tended  much  to 
teinp'^r  the  publick  joy  for  the  second  victory  of  the  Con- 
stitution. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Harrison  returns  to  Ohio— rieneral  Winchester  sends  a  tlrtachraent  tu 
protect  Frenchtown — Colonel  Lewis  defeats  the  British  and  Indians- 
Winchester  arrives  with  reinforcements — liattle  of  the  Kiver  Rai- 
sin— yiiockinjj;  con(hict  of  the  British  and  their  allies— Harrison's  re- 
turn— Siege  of  Fort  Meigs — Defeat  of  Dudly — The  siege  i-aised— 
Kxploit  ot  Major  Ball. 

f^' E  have  seen  with  what  indefatigable  industry  gene- 
ral T^larrison  was  engaged,  in  placing  the  western  frontier 
in  a  posture  of  defence,  and  in  attempting  to  regain  wiiat 
we  had  lost.  The  Indian  tribes  had  been  made  to  feel 
the  war  in  their  own  country,  and  were  d  'liven  to  such  a 
distance  by  the  destruction  of  their  villages;,  as  to  prevent 
them  from  annoying  our  settlements:  they  were  compel- 
led to  remove  their  wives  and  children  to  the  distant  Bri- 
tish establishments,  in  order  to  obtain  the  means  of  sub- 
sistence. The  close  of  the  season  was  now  chiefly  occu- 
pied in  strengthening  the  frontier  posts,  and  in  establish- 
ing others.  Great  exertions  were  made  by  governour 
Meigs,  of  Ohio,  to  keep  up  the  necessary  supply  of  men, 
and  to  provide  the  means  of  subsistence.  General  Har- 
rison established  his  head  quarters  at  Franklinton,  whence 
he  could  with  greater  facility  organize  and  distribute  to 
the  different  forts,  the  reinforcements  and  supplies  which 
must  arrive.  His  object  was  to  concentrate  a  considera- 
ble force  at  the  Rapids,  and  thence,  unless  a  change  of 
circumstances  forbade,  proceed  to  Detroit.  The  govern- 
ment was  compelled,  in  consequence  of  the  taking  of  that 
place,  to  transport  artillery  and  publick  stores  at  an  enor- 
mous expense  across  the  mountains,  and  down  the  Ohio; 


and  after \ 

consumed 

anny. 

In  the  n 
fort  Defiar 
the  volunt 
of  their  te 
cliieily  froj 
amongst  its 
of  January 
from  tlie  inl 
is  situated  ( 
Detroit,  tha 
about  to  con 
venting  tlie 
iiabitants  be^ 
Americans  \ 
probably  be 
in  the  midst 
obliged  to  m 
niour.     Thrc 
out  by  one  o 
young  Amer 
strongly  exci 
to  lead  them 
\^ith  some  r 
contrary  to 
resolved  to  se 
the  seventeen 
under  colonel 
l^i-esque  Isle, 
On  their  ai 
vance  party  o 
possession  of 
instantly  and 
my  became  ap 
their  receptio 
wing,  major  G 
t'*e,    On  comi 
ice,  they  disph 
a  howitzer  and 


such 
ch  to 
Con- 


mcnt  tu 
Kliaiis — 
er  R»i- 
ion's  re- 


'  gene- 
Vontier 
n  wliat 
to  feel 
such  a 
irevent 
ompel- 
,nt  Bri- 
ef sub- 
ly  occu- 
Itablisli- 
/ernour 
k  men, 
il  llai- 
/henco 
Ibuteto 
which 
isidera- 
|ange  of 
rovern- 
fof  that 
In  enor- 
Ohio; 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


.97 


and  aftcrwanls  to  Ihe  different  forts.  This  necessarily 
consumed  nuirh  time,  and  delayed  the  ojierations  of  the 
anny. 

In  the  meanwhile,  genera^  Winchester  continued  at 
fort  Defiance,  with  aBout  eight  hundred  men;  many  of 
the  volunte(M*s  having  returned  home  on  the  expiration 
of  tlieir  term  of  service.  Those  who  remained  were 
chieily  from  Kentucky,  and  the  greater  part  ranked 
amongst  its  most  respectable  citizens.  Early  in  the  month 
of  January,  general  Winchester  recciveii  intimations 
from  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Frenchtovvn,  which 
U  situated  on  the  river  Raisin,  between  the  Rapids  and 
Detroit,  tliat  a  large  body  of  British  and  Indians  were 
about  to  concentrate  at  this  point,  for  the  purpose  of  pre- 
venting tiie  further  progress  of  the  Americans.  The  in- 
liabitants  became  alarmed  at  their  situation,  besought  the 
Americans  to  march  to  their  protection,  as  they  would 
probably  be  exposed  to  the  honours  of  Indian  massacre, 
in  the  midst  of  ferocious  savages,  whom  the  British  were 
obliged  to  indulge,  that  they  might  be  kept  in  a  good  hu- 
mour. Threats  against  them  had,  besides,  been  thrown 
out  by  one  of  the  Indian  chiefs.  The  sensibility  of  the 
young  American  volunteers,  oiHcers  and  privates,  was 
strongly  excited,  and  they  ?arnestly  besought  the  general 
to  lead  them  to  the  defence  of  the  distressed  inhabitants. 
\Yith  some  reluctance,  he  yielded  to  their  wishes,  and 
contrary  to  the  gent^-al  plan  of  the  commander-in-chief, 
resolved  to  send  a  force  to  their  re 'ief.  Accordingly,  on 
the  seventeenth  of  January,  he  detached  a  body  of  men 
under  colonels  Lewis  and  Allen,  with  orders  to  wait  at 
Presque  Isle,  until  joined  by  the  main  body. 

On  their  arrival,  information  was  received  that  an  ad- 
vance party  of  British  and  Indians,  had  already  taken 
possession  of  Frenchtown.  It  was  determined  to  march 
instantly  and  attack  the»n.  As  they  drew  near,  the  ene- 
my became  apprised  of  tlieir  approach,  and  prepared  for 
their  rece])tion.  Colonel  Allen  commanded  the  right 
wing,  major  Graves  the  left,  and  major  Madison  the  cen- 
tre. On  coming  to  the  rivir,  which  was  bridged  with 
ice,  they  displayed  and  moved  forward  under  a  fire  from 
a  howitzer  and  musketry.     Majors  Graves  and  Madison, 

9 


\ 


W, 


•■<* 


* 


»8 


IIIJSTUUY  OF  THE  AVAR. 


uith  ihc'w  battalions,  were  (Milered  to  dislodge  the  enemy 
from  the  houses  and  picketin«»;,  which  they  in  a  moment 
cftectcd,  under  a  ihower  of  bullets,  and  (Irove  the  Brit- 
ish and  Indians  to  the  woods.  Colonel  Allen  made  a  sim- 
ultaneous movement  upon  their  left,  and  after  several 
spirited  chari;es,  compelled  these  to  take  the  wood  also. 
Here  availin*;  themselves  of  the  fences  and  fallen  timber, 
they  attempted  to  make  a  stand;  but  were  attacked  a 
second  time,  and  after  a  conllict  more  obstinate  than  the 
lirst,  they  a«]5ain  fle<l.  They  now  attempted  to  draw  their 
pursuers  into  a  wood;  and  partly  succe^^.dinja;,  they  charg- 
vA  in  turn  furiously,  but  were  unable  to  break  the  Ameri- 
can line.  A  severe  conflict  now  ensued,  but  the  enemy 
was  finally  beaten,  pursued  with  a  continual  char<i;e  for 
several  mdes,  and  entirely  dispersed.  The  American 
loss  was  twelve  killed,  and  fifty-five  wounded:  that  of  the 
enemy  could  not  well  be  ascertained,  but  fifteen  of  the 
Indians  were  left  on  the  field.  The  volunteers  having 
thus  gallantly  effected  their  object,  encamped  on  the  spot, 
where  they  remained  until  the  twentieth,  when  they  were 
joined  by  j^eneral  Winchester.  With  this  addition,  their 
whole  force  exceeded  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men. 

Six  hundred  men  were  placed  within  a  line  of  pickets, 
and  the  remainder,  to  the  number  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  encamped  in  the  open  field.  On  the  morninjj;  of  the 
twenty-second,  a  combined  force  of  about  fifteen  hundred 
men,  under  Proctor  and  the  Indiun  chiefs  Round-head 
and  Split-log,  suddenly  attacked  our  little  army.  They 
were  in  an  instant  ready  for  the  recepJon  of  the  enemy, 
who  planted  six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  opened  a  heavy 
fire,  accompanied  with  musketry,  against  the  slight 
breast-work  of  pickets.  The  body  of  men  belonging  to 
the  encampment,  and  composing  the  right  wing,  was  soon 
overpowered  by  numbers,  and  endeavoured  to  retreat 
across  the  river.  Two  companies  of  fifty  men  each,  see- 
ing tlje  critical  situation  of  their  comrades,  sallied  out  of 
the  breast-work  to  their  relief,  but  sliared  the  same  fate. 
Nearly  the  whole  of  these  unfortunate  men  were  either 
cut  off,  or  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  to  the  Bri- 
tish, under  promise  of  protection.  The  left  wing  within 
the  pick'Us,  still  continued  a  cool  and  steady  resistance. 


ly  with 
hist,  am 
victory 
tempte( 
was  tolt 
dered,  i 

"^'lyages, 
bilify  w 

houses  ( 
^iag  com 
onler  tc 
had  agre 
dition  of 
hcingall 
ing  their 
<inies,  th 
their  han 
from  a  B 
and  that 
dead, 
non-com  I 
fightin^ 
yells  of  a 
prey.    A 
the  little 
picket,  an 
oftheBri 
thus  solic 


I 


rnsTORY  OF  Till:  waii. 


99 


ThiT e  ^iiccossive  assaults  were  mailo  by  the  Tlritislj  forty- 
first,  but  they  were  driven  back,  with  tlie  loss  of  thirty 
kilhMl  and  one  hundred  woun<led.  When  the  rii|;ht  winj; 
lnoke  at  the  commencement  of  the  acti(m,  j»;reat  eftoits 
liad  been  made  by  general  VVincliester  and  colonel  Lew- 
is  to  rally  and  bring  them  within  the  pickets;  but  in  the 
attemjit  these  o'Ticers  were  taken  prisoners.  Nothwith- 
standinji;  these  misfortunes,  and  tlie  overwhelming  force 
which  assailed  them  on  every  side,  they  still  continued, 
with  firmness  and  determination  never  surpassed,  to  re- 
pulse every  assault  of  the  enemy,  until  eleven  o'clock  in 
the  day,  making  prodigious  slaughter  in  his  ratiks. 

Finding  at  length  that  it  would  be  vain  to  contend  opoYi- 
\y  with  such  men,  resolved  to  defend  themselves  to  the 
hist,  and  that  even  if  they  had  now  been  successful,  their 
victory  would  have  been  dearly  bouyht,  the  enemy  at- 
tempted to  prevail  on  them  to  surrender.  The  general 
was  told  by  cobmel  Proctor,  that  unless  his  men  surren- 
dered, they  would  be  delivered  over  to  the  fury  of  the 
savages,  or  what  amounts  to  the  same  thing,  no  responsi- 
bility w(mld  be   taken  for  their   conduct,  and  that  the 


houses  of  the  village  would  be  burnt. 


The  general  sent  a 


iJa^  communicating  these  particulars,  and  stating  that  in 
onler  to  preserve  the  remainder  of  his  bravo  troops,  he 
had  agreed  to  surrender  them  as  prisoners  of  war,  on  con- 
dition of  their  being  protected  from  the  savages,  of  their 
being  allowed  to  retain  their  private  property,  and  of  hav- 
ing their  side  arms  returned  them.  The  flag  passed  three 
times^,  the  Americans  unwilling  to  surrender  with  arms  in 
their  hands,  until  they  had  received  a  positive  engagement 
from  a  British  colonel  that  they  should  not  be  murdered, 
and  that  they  should  have  the  privilege  of  burying  the 
dead.  Thirtj-five  officers,  and  four  hundred  and  fifty 
non-commissioned  officers  and  men,  still  remained,  after 
fighting  six  hours  against  artillery,  surrounded  b^  the 
yells  of  a  thousand  savages,  waiting  like  wolves  for  their 
prey.  At  this  time  (he  Killed,  wounded  and  mi  :.sing,  of 
the  little  army,  including  those  that  had  been  outside  the 
picket,  amounted  to  more  than  three  hundred.  The  loss 
of  the  British  could  not  have  been  less.  The  little  band,-r 
thus  solicited  by  their  general,  and  giving  way  to  thaf 


Ni 


i 


■V- 


<I00 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAU. 


lav  of  hope  ^vhirh  the  bravewt  men  in<leHperate  situatioii.s 
will  sei/.e,  af  last  consented  <o  a  surrender. 

'Die  oiliceorthe  historian  sometimes  imposes  a  melan- 
eUoly  duty.  The  mind  n»ay  i)e  allowed  to  indul<!;e  a 
S^eneroiis  satisCaetion,  in  recordinu;  those  aetions  where  a 
hi<;h,  hut  mistaken  ambition,,  ealls  forth  our  energies  at 
tile  expense  of  humanity.  Who  can  read  without  adinir- 
in;;,  the  retreat  of  the^eii  tliousand  (ireeks,  and  what 
lieart  ean  be  insensible  to  the  recital  of  the  fale  of  Leoni- 
clasand  his  immortal  ban<l!  The  virtues  of  sueh  men,  their 
lbrtitu<le,  their  love  (»f  country,  tlwir  unconrMerable 
minds,  give  a  sanctity  to  thtir  f'lte;  and  while  we  grieve 
lor  them,  we  rejoice  that  we  ilso  are  men.  Vav  other- 
wise when  we  trace,  in  characters  of  blood,  the  cold,  de- 
liberate, fiend-like  depravity,  which  assimilates  men  to 
tl'.e  most  odious  and  terocimu  of  the  brute  creation. 

The  task  I  must  now  fulfii  is  painful:  I  must  speak  of 
such  things  as  I  almost  shudder  to  name ;  neither  can  it 
he  done  without  tearinjj;  open  the  yet  bleedinu;  wounds  of 
my  country.  But  faithful  history  forbids  that  they  should 
be  passed  over  in  silence;  they*  must  stand  f(»r{h  in  all 
ihc  av»  fulness  of  truth:  and  that  impartial  ju(liji;ment  must 
lie  passed  upon  them,  which  will  doom  them  to  the  dc- 
lostation  of  all  posterity.  The  vengeance  of  heaven  does 
jiot  sleep.  There  is  a  measure  of  retributive  justice  even 
in  this  world,  which  sooner  or  later  overtakes  the  swiftest 
ii;uilt.  Not  t'je  most  infuriated  passions  of  the  worst  of 
savages,  ever  generated  a  more  shocking  scene  of  cruel- 
ties than  were  practised  towards  a  band  of  brave  men, 
lighting  in  honourable  battle,  and  who  deserved  statues 
of  their  country.  Impelled  by  feelings  of  humanity,  they 
marched  to  protect  the  feeble  and  the  helpless  from  sav- 
age ^iolence:  and  assailed  by  overwhelming  numbers, 
ihey  might  have  contended  to  the  last  man;  but  yielding 
10  the  solicitations  of  their  captured  general,  to  the  threats 
of  conflagration  and  murder,  to  the  innocent  people  of 
the  village,  they  surrendered  in  an  evil  hour  to  a  faithless 
and  treacherous  foe,  that  they  might  be  consigned  to 
cruel  suftering,  to  butchery,  to  murder,  to  unrelenting  tor- 
ture, to  every  species  of  savage  death.  Well  might  those 
disposed  to  wage  such  a  war,  wish  to  destroy  the  pen  of 


mam 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAU. 


101 


Iiistorv.  The  piMj  of  history  rnnnot  br  lirokcn."  Atifs 
coimnaini,  tlu*  swoni  of  veMy;caiict*  shall  leap  from  i<s 
srahhanl.  Would  for  the.  honour  of  liritaiii;  would  for 
the  sake  of  huuuuiity;  would  for  the  sake  of  our  connnon 
relationship  to  a  nation  in  which  there  exist  many  of  (he 
most  generous  niid  reline<l,  <hat  the  odious  tale  of  tin* 
river  Raisin  and  Frenchtowri,  midit  he  (onsijL^ned  to  eter- 
nal oblivion.  Hut  itcann<»t  he.  The  sacred  call  of  truth 
must  he  obeyed.  The  8avaj»e  and  wanton  massacre  of  our 
heroick  countiymen,  in  the  presence  of  a  British  ollicer, 
Iwis  not  been  <lenied,  or  palliated.  Other  attrocities  tlic 
perpetrators  have  attempted  to  cover,  by  s(M'ie  flimsy  veil 
of  unsubstantial  excuse,  but  this  char«i;e  has  always  been 
met  with  silence.  They  have  not  dared  directly  to  deny; 
and,  ^!;racious  heaven,  where  could  they  find  an  excuse! 
Let  tlu' virtuous  Jiriton,  who  reads  this  jiaj^e,  blush  for  his 
countrymen;  let  the  posterity  or  the  nation  to  which  wc 
are  so  closely  related,  shed  a  tear  upon  it,  and  may  fu- 
ture 4;enerations  of  Americans,  for  tne  sake  of  the  com- 
mon relationship  they  bear  to  a  Sidney,  a  Russel,  a  Chat- 
hum,  and  a  Howard,  generously  forgive.  T'ley  cannot 
forj!;et. 

Scarcely  had  the  Americans  surrendered,  under  the 
stipulation  of  protection  from  the  British  officer,  than 
our  brave  citizens  now  discovered  too  late,  that  they 
were  reserved  to  be  butchered  in  cold  blood.  Of  the 
right  wing,  but  a  small  number  had  escaped;  the  work  of 
scalping  and  stripping  the  dead,  and  murdering  those 
who  could  no  longer  resist,  was  suffered  to  go  on  with- 
out restraint.  Tne  infernal  work  was  now  to  begin  with 
those  who  had  so  bravely  defended  themselves.  The  in- 
famous Proctor  and  the  British  officers  turned  a  deaf 
ear  to  the  just  remonstrances  of  these  unhappy  men.. 
Contrary  to  express  stipulations,  the  swords  were  laken 
from  the  sides  of  the  officers,  many  of  them  stripped  al- 
most naked,  and  robbed.  The  brave  dead  were  stripped 
and  scalped,  and  their  bodies  shockingly  mutilated.  The 
tomahawk  put  an  end  at  once  to  the  sufferings  of  many 

*  In  the  Vandal  mutilations  of  the  beautiful  naval  monument  at 
Wcibhington  the  pen  of  the  figui'e  representhig  histfjrv  was  broken. 

9* 


I' ". 


H 


*• 


i(.K 


¥h    <2 


10^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


M^ 


m 
u 


of  the  wounded  who  could  not  rise;  in  allusion  to  which, 
some  (hiys  afterwards  a  British  officer  observed,  "The 
Indians  are  excellent  doctors."  The  prisoners,  who 
now  remained;  with  but  a  few  exceptions,  instead  of 
being  guarded  by  British  soldiers,  were  delivered  to  the 
charge  of  the  Indians,  to  be  marched  in  the  rear  of  the 
army  to  Maiden.  This  was,  in  other  words,  a  full  per- 
mission to  indulge  their  savage  thirst  of  blood;  and  in  this 
they  were  not  disappointed,  foi  the  greater  part  of  these 
ill-fated  men  were  murtlered  on  the  way,  througli  mere 
wantonness.  Perhaps,  as  a  christian,  if  he  be  such.  Proc- 
tor attempted  to  put  a  stop  to  these  butcheries;  no— ^ 
there  was  not  even  an  attempt;  and  in  this  country  we  know 
well  that  it  was  amply  in  his  power  to  have  prevented 
these  things.  But  if  lie  were  not,  it  neither  lessens  his 
villany  nor  the  infamy  of  the  British,  in  associating  with 
such  allies.  All  sucli  as  became  too  weak  for  want  of 
nourislunent,  from  excessive  fatigue,  from  their  wounds, 
in  this  most  inclement  seri.son  of  the  year,  were  at  once 
despatched.  But  small  was  the  number  of  this  little  army, 
that  ever  reached  the  British  garrison;  the  greater  par^ 
of  the  prisoners  had  been  carried  oft*  by  the  Indians,  tha<> 
they  might  satiate  their  fiend-like  hatred  by  roasting  them 
at  the  stake;  or  if  reserved,  it  was  to  gratify  their  cupidi- 
ty, by  rendering  them  the  objects  of  an  abominable  traf- 
fick.  Alas!  what  heart  that  does  not  shiink  with  in- 
ward horrour,  at  the  contemplation  of  this  ghastly  scene! 
But  its  abominations  were  not  yet  complete. 

About  sixty  of  the  wounded,  many  of  them  officers  06 
distinction,  or  individuals  of  much  respectability,  had 
been  suftered  to  take  shelter  in  the  houses  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, ard  two  of  their  own  surgeons  permitted  by  Proc- 
tor to  attend  them,  from  whom  they  also  obtained  a  pro- 
mise ^hat  a  guard  should  be  placed  to  protect  them,  and 
thit  they  should  be  carried  to  Maiden  the  next  morning 
in  sleds.  But  alas!  this  wretch's  affected  humanity,  was 
but  an  aggravation  of  his  cruelty,  by  awakening  a  hope 
which  he  intended  to  disappoint.  No  guard  of  soldiers 
was  left,  and  on  the  next  day,  instead  of  sleds  to  convey 
them  to  a  place  of  safety;  a  party  of  Indians  returned  to 
the  field  of  battle,  fell  upon  these  poor  wounded  nieji^ 


t\biii:.meji^^uitj- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAlt. 


1C3 


plundered  them  of  their  clothing,  and  every  article  of 
any  value  which  remained,  tomahawked  the  greater  part 
of  them,  and,  to  finish  the  scene,  firr'1  the  nouses,  and 
consumed  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

The  terrible  tale  is  not  yet  told.  Those  rites,  which 
in  every  civilized  country  are  held  sacred,  which  are  not 
withheld  from  the  vilest  malefactor,  wliich  are  paid  alike 
to  enemies  and  to  friends,  the  rites  of  sepulture,  although 
there  existed  an  express  stipulation  with  the^monster  who 
commanded,  a  stipulation  unnecessary  amongst  civilized 
men,  yet  these  were  not  only  denied,  but  the  humane  in- 
habitants of  the  village  dared  not  perform  them  under 
pain  of  death.  And  why  was  this  refused?  Because,  said 
Proctor,  his  majesty's  allies  would  not  permit  it!  Was 
<rliere  any  attempt  maile  to  bury  them?  None.  Notwith- 
standing this,  some  of  the  inhabitants,  although  it  "was 
as  much  as  their  lives  were  worth,"  did  venture  to  per- 
form this  last  and  pious  office  to  captain  Hart,  to  captain 
Woolfolk,  and  a  few  others;  but  the  remainder,  nearly 
two  hundred  in  number,  never  had  this  office  performed 
for  them,  until  their  friends  and  relatives  triumphed  over 
tiie  inhuman  monster,  the  autumn  following,  and  then 
«;athered  up  their  bleaching  bones.  Their  mangled  bo- 
dies had  been  suffered  to  lie  on  the  ground  exposed  to  the 
ferocious  beasts  of  prey,  or  to  the  more  horrible  pollution 
of  domestick  animals. 

The  general  tragedy  was  diversified  by  a  hundred 
scenes  of  individual  sufferings.  The  fate  of  the  brave 
dud  accomplished  captain  Hart,  a  near  relative  of  two 
of  our  most  distinguished  statesmen,  (Henry  Clay,  and 
James  Brown,)  a  young  gentleman  of  finished  education 
and  polished  manners,  cannot  be  related  without  a  tear. 
He  had  in  a  particular  manner  distinguished  himself  dur- 
ing the  engagement,  and  had  received  a  severe  wound  in 
the  knee.  On  being  surrendered  with  the  other  prison- 
ers, he  was  recognized  by  colonel  Elliot,  a  native  of  the 
United  States,  with  whom  he  had  been  a  class-mate  at 
Princeton,  but  who  had  become  a  British  officer  and  an 
ally  to  the  savages.  Base  indeed  must  be  that  man, 
whose  soul,  under  such  circumstances,  would  not  be 
touched.    Elliot  voluntarily  offered  his  services  to  ther 


,  '  »       ~t  ■'  l.i  'l  j 


t 


-I 


f 


■I'- 

.t 


•«« 


104 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


if' 


friend  of  his  youth,  his  countryman,  promised  to  take  him 
under  his  special  protection,  and  to  transport  him  to  Mai- 
den; but  wnether  his  heart,  naturally  vile,  soon  changed 
its  purpose,  or  whether  forbidden  by  Proctor,  he  gave 
himself  no  further  concern  on  the  subject.  The  next  day 
a  party  of  Indians  came  into  the  room  where  he  lay,  and 
tore  him  from  his  bed;  he  was  then  carried  to  another 
apartment  by  one  of  his  brother  officers,  where  he  soon 
experienced  the  same  treatment.  He  then,  by  the  oft'er 
of  a  large  suhi  of  money,  induced  some  Indians  to  take 
him  to  Maiden;  they  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance, 
when  they  dragged  him  from  his  horse,  shot  iiim  and 
scalped  him.  The  same  species  of  suffering  was  under- 
gone by  colonel  Allen,  by  captains  Hickman,  Woolfolk, 
and  M'Cracken.  Many  of  the  choicest  sons  of  Kentucky 
liad  been  of  this  ill-fated  band;  we  may  name  Mr.  Simp- 
son, a  member  of  congress,  captains  Bledsoe,  Matson, 
Hamilton,  Williams,  and  Kellj.,  and  majors  Madison 
and  Ballard.  With  the  exception  of  three  companies  of 
United  States  infiintry  under  captains  Hightower,  Collier, 
and  Sabrie,  they  were  all  the  volunteers  of  that  patriotick 
state.  On  the  evening  succeeding  the  engagement,  rum 
was  distributed  to  the  Indians,  for  a  frolick,  in  which  they 
were  disposed  to  indulge,  and  we  may  easily  suppose 
what  was  the  nature  of  their  infernal  orgies. 

Proctor  now  beginning  to  fear  the  consequences  of  the 
infamy  attached  to  his  conduct,  offered  a  price  for  those 
prisoners,  whom  the  Indians  still  preserved;  those  pri- 
soners who  had  surrendered  on  the  faith  of  a  capitulation 
with  him,  and  whom  he  ought  never  to  have  abandoned. 
The  humane  inhabitants  of  Detroit,  had  already  exhibit- 
ed a  degree  of  tenderness  and  solicitude  for  their  unfor- 
tunate countrymen,  which  will  ever  entitle  them  to  our 
gratitude  and  esteem.  Many  of  them  parted  with  every 
thing  they  possessed  of  value,  for  the  purchase  of  the  pri- 
soners; for,  to  the  disgrace  of  the  British  arms  must  it  be 
recorded,  persons  of  the  first  respectability,  who  comnos- 
ed  this  Spartan  band,  were  suffered,  under  the  eyes  of 
colonel  Proctor,  to  be  hawked  about  the  streets  from  door 
to  door,  and  offered  for  sale  like  beasts!  The  only  re- 
^itraint  on  the  cruelty  of  the  savage  wretches,  arose  from 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


lOo 


|)eriaittiiiir  iliem  to  consult  their  avarice.  Even  such 
prisoiiei .s  as  were  more  fortunate,  no  matter  what  their 
rank  or  character,  were  treated  with  every  species  of 
Gontaiuch"  and  contempt. 

The  conduct  of  the  people  at  Detroit  was  such  as  might 
he  expected  from  humane  Americans.  Every  class  of 
people  eagerly  sought  opportunities  of  redeeming  the  un- 
iortiinate  sufferers.  The  female  sex,  ever  the  foremost 
in  acts  of  benevolence  and  in  sympathy  for  the  distressed, 
were  particularly  distinguished;  they  gladly  gave  their 
■>li;nvls,  and  even  the  blankets  from  then*  beds,  when  no- 
thing else  remained  for  them  to  give.  Woodward,  the 
former  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  and  appointed  by  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  p  man  of  enlightened 
niiiul,  now  openly  and  boldly  remonstrated  with  Proctor, 
an!  in  the  manly  tone  of  his  injured  country  depicted 
ilie  infamy  of  the  British  conduct.  "The  truth,"  said  he, 
"must  undoubtedly  eventually  appear,  and  that  unfor- 
tunate day  musl  meet  the  steady  and  impartial  eye  of 
history."  Those  facts  have  been  esiablislied  by  a  cloud 
of  witnesses,  and  the  appeal  of  judge  Woodward  wiil 
reach  posterity.  Let  the  reader  of  tliis  history,  now  re- 
nieuiber,  that  this  was  but  the  commencement  of  a  series 
of  barbarities,  both  upon  the  Atlantick  board,  and  upon 
the  frontier,  which  was  afterwards  systematically  pursu- 
ed: that  so  far  from  this  having  been  covered  by  the  base 
excuse  of  retaliation,  it  is  a  charge  which  has  never  other- 
vvise  been  met  by  Britain  but  witK  the  silence  of  con- 
scious guilt. 

There  can  be  notliing  more  delightful  to  a  good  man 
than  the  reflection  that  he  lives  in  the  heart  of  gratitude. 
What  is  all  earthly  pageantry,  or  power,  or  wealth,  com- 
pared to  the  pleasure  of  a  noble  mind,  in  the  contempla- 
tion of  the  bright  store  of  its  virtuous  actions!  Who 
would  not  be  a  M'Intosh,*  to  experience  wherever  he 

*  Mr.  INI'Intosh  several  tii.'.es  visitcl  this  country.  The  expression 
of  gratitude  from  thousands  whom  he  suved,  was  ahiiostoverwliehniii^. 
There  are  few  scenes  in  the  annals  of  histoiy,  or  in  the  fictions  of  the 
pof  ts,  so  suhlimely  aftVcting;,  as  those  which  occurred  when  this  good 
man  visited  Baltimore  and  New-Orh^ans.  In  these  places  particularly, 
the  unfortunate  people  were  I'eceived  with  open  anus,  and  now  live  ui 
comfort  and  respectability. 


.;!/.. 


I 


1  ■ . 


.  -  »■' 


•A   i 


i'> 


106 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


li',  • 


goes,  llic  untVif^iuMl,  the  full,  IIjc  art\»c<iiij2;  homa2;e  of  na- 
ture from  the  beings,  whom  at  the  risk  of  his  life,  and  at 
the  expense  of  liis  ample  fortune,  he  saved  from  horrid 
massacres.  The  paji;e  shall  brighten  which  contains  the 
name  of  Augustus  B.  Woodward,  "who,"  to  use  the  ex- 
pression of  an  American,  who  acknowledged  him  his  bene- 
factor, "was  the  life  and  soul  of  the  Americans  who  re- 
mained; to  whom  they  all  looked  up  for  succour  in  the 
hour  of  difHculty,  for  advice  on  every  occasion  "  flis 
zeal  and  industry  were  unwearied,  and  to  his  exertions 
many  a  (iunily  is  indebted  for  the  restoration  of  the  ten-. 
derest  relative,  a  father,  a  son,  or  a  brother. 

The  indignation  of  the  American  officers  was,  on  one 
occasion,  nobly  expressed.  When  at  fort  George,  all 
except  general  Winchester  and  some  others,  were  per- 
mitted to  return  home  on  their  parole;  when  the  paper 
was  presented  for  signature,  they  demanded  to  know  who 
were  his  viajesfi/*s  allies?  Insolence  and  guilt  were  stag- 
gered at  the  question.  Ashamed  to  own  their  savage 
allies,  they  replied,  his  mujestifs  allies  are  known.  Truly 
they  were  known,  they  were  known  like  the  blood-liounds 
of  Pizarro;  they  were  known  to  the  disgrace  of  their  em- 
plcyers. 

Never  did  any  calamity  so  deeply  affect  the  sensibili- 
ties of  a  people.  All  Kentucky  vjas  literally  in  mourn- 
in^';  for  the  soldiers  thus  massacred,  tortured,  burnt,  or 
denied  the  common  rites  of  sepulture,  were  of  the  most 
respectable  families  of  the  state;  many  of  them  younj; 
men  of  fortune  and  property,  with  numerous  friends  and 
relatives. 

It  would  be  unjust,  in  this  common  anathema,  to  in- 
clude all  the  British  officers;  the  names  of  some  deserve 
to  be  rescued  from  this  indelible  reproach;  major  Muir, 
captains  Aikins,  Curtis,  Dr.  Bowen,  and  the  reverend  Mr. 
PaiTov/.  Elliot  was  also  spoken  of  in  favourable  terms 
by  the  American  officers,  as  having  on  some  occasions  in- 
terested himself  for  the  sufferers.  Enough  has  certainly 
been  said  on  this  distressing  subject;  one  part,  however, 
cannot  be  omitted.  Proctor,  perceiving  the  eagerness  of 
the  people  of  Detroit  in  purchasing  the  unhappy  captives, 
ao^tually  issued  an  order  prohibiting  any  further  purcha-. 


eriu  the  mo> 


.HMJmtmk*.  <>.i».«B>»iaicr,-)Ml)Mrt{'»  fe  ' 


iiilii 


%cWii-, 


to  in- 
eserve 

Muir, 
nd  Mr. 

terms 
ons  in- 

tainly 
wever, 
ness  of 
ptivoi*, 
urcha-. 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAR, 


lor 


scs,  oil  tlie  j^round  that  tliey  gave  more  than  tlie  covern- 
jnetit.  This  officer  was  al'tervvanls  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  a  brigadier,  in  consequence  of  liis  good  conduct,  par- 
ticularlv  in  saving  the  prisoners  from  the  fury  of  the  In- 
dians. If  any  thing  can  move  indignation,  it  is  this  cli- 
max of  insult.  It  is  thus  that  Great  Britain  wilfully 
shuts  her  eyes.  The  facts  were  afterwards  proved  to  the 
satisfaction  of  every  man,  and  the  British  government 
was  silent;  but  had  not  the  magnanimity  to  consign  the 


guilty  wretch  to  punishment. 
The  incider 


ents  of  this  catastrophe  might  be  swelled  to  a 
volume.  A  few  days  after  the  affair,  a  doctor  M'Keehan 
was  despatched  by  general  Harrison  for  tiie  purpose  of 
attending  the  sick,  and  with  gold  to  provide  such  things 
as  they  might  want.  The  doctor,  notwithstanding  his 
Hag,  his  sacred  errand,  and  an  open  letter  directed  to  any 
jJritish  officer,  stating  the  object  of  his  mission,  was  ac- 
tually wounded  and  robbed,  then  dragged  to  Maiden, 
whence  he  was  taken  to  Quebec.  After  the  sutt'erings  of 
several  months,  dragged  from  place  to  place,  from  dun- 
geon to  dungeon,  sufferings  which  could  hardly  occur  on 
the  banks  of  the  Niger,  he  at  length  reached  home,  with 
a  constitution  totally  impaired.  Such  are  the  distressing 
occurrences  which  it  becomes  the  painful  duty  of  the  his- 
torian to  record.  The  heart  sickens  at  the  contempla- 
tion of  so  much  depravity.  Why  are  so  much  pains 
taken  to  make  us  hate  the  name  of  Englishman?  This 
is  far  from  being  the  wish  of  Americans.  Such  conduct 
is  not  to  be  accounted  for,  unless  it  proceeds  from  a  deep- 
ly rooted  hatred  on  the  part  of  the  British  government. 
tVe  know  that  pa^ns  have  been  taken  to  cherish  in  the 
minds  of  the  people  of  England,  a  contempt  for  our  na- 
tional character;  we  know  that  hired  calumniators  have 
represented  us  as  a  savage  race,  to  whom  the  courtesies 
of  civilized  life  cannot  be  extended,  because  they  cannot 
be  reciprocal.  These  things  must  have  an  end,  or  a  day 
of  terrible  retribution  will  come  at  last. 

The  news  of  this  melancholy  affair  soon  after  reached 
general  Harrison,  who  was  on  his  march  with  reinforce- 
ments to  general  Winchester.  He  had  heard  witli  cha- 
grin the  movements  of  that  officer,  and  apprehensive  of 


f  ■!;  <■ 


>  , 


* 


i  ,.,i|..L. 
'  ■  •  ■ ! 


■j1 


108 


IIISTOUY  OF  THE  WAK. 


m 


':>- 


the  consequence,  had  ordcretl  a  detachment  of  three  hun- 
dred men,  under  major  Cotgrcves,  from  general  Perkins' 
brigade  of  Ohio  militia,  to  march  to  his  relief.  Hearing 
of  the  disaster,  they  fell  back  upon  the  Jia])ids,  vvlu're 
general  Harrison  was  tlien  stationed,  who  retreated  to 
Carrying  river,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  junction  with 
the  troops  in  the  rear,  and  favouring  the  cimvoy  of  artil- 
lery anti  stores  then  coming  fiom  Upper  Sandusky.  He 
first,  however,  despatchevl  u  chosen  body  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy  men  for  the  purpose  of  picking  up  such  of 
the  unfortunate  fugitives  as  n\ight  have  escaped.  Tiie 
number  of  these  was  very  small,  on  account  of  (he  depth 
of  the  snow,  which  rendered  it  almost  impossible  for  them 
to  make  their  way.  Governour  Meigs  having  promptly 
despatched  two  regiments  to  the  assistance  ot  Harrison, 
wlio  again  advanced  to  the  Uapids,  and  immediately  set 
about  constr  ucting  a  fort,  which  in  honour  of  the  gover- 
lumr  of  Ohio,  he  named  fort  Meigs.  Fortifications  were 
at  the  same  time  constructed  at  Upper  Sandusky  by  ge- 
neral Cooks;  who  commanded  the  Pen*isylvania  mditia. 
Excepting  some  parties  on  excursions,  notliing  additional 
transpired  during  the  severe  winter  months.  The  move- 
ment of  genei'al  Winchester  had  considerably  deranged 
the  plans  of  Harrison;  and  it  was  necessary  to  oi'ganize 
a  new  system.  He  returned  to  Ohio,  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  an  additional  force  fi'orn  tliat  state,  and  Ker:- 
tucky.  Towards  the  beginning  of  April,  he  received  in- 
formation which  hasteneu  his  return  to  foi-t  Meigs. 

The  enemy  for  some  time  past,  had  been  collecting  in 
considei'able  u'lmber's,  for  the  purpose  of  laying  siege  to 
this  place;  and  as  the  new  levies  had  not  arrived,  the 
Pennsylvania  br-igade,  although  its  term  of  service  had 
expired,  generously  volunteered  for  the  defence  of  tlie 
fort.  Immediately  on  his  ar-rival,  general  Harrison  set 
about  making  pr-eparations  for  the  approaching  siege. — 
The  for't  w as  situated  upon  a  rising  ground,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  a  few  hundr-ed  yards  fr-om  the  r^ver-,  the  country 
on  each  side  of  wliich  is  ohieily  natural  meadows.  Tlie 
garrison  was  well  supplied  with  tlie  means  of  defence, 
and  Harrison,  with  unremitted  exertions,  laboured  night 
and  day,  to  improve  its  capacity  for  resisting  the  siege. 


,    ..»»..-.««i^  >liili'li«.Wf-* 


hrce  l\un- 
l  Perkins' 
Hearing 
Is,  v/l»ere 
treated  to 
ction  with 
y  of  artii- 
isky.  He 
e  hundred 
ip  such  of 
ped.  Tl»e 
tlie  depth 
Ic  for  them 

firoinptly 
larrison, 
iliately  set 
the  i^over- 
tions  were 
sky  l)y  ge- 
lia  mditia. 
additional 
Tlie  move- 
r  deranjj;ed 


D 


organrzc 


purpose  of 
and  Kei:- 
iceived  in- 
igs. 

lecting  in 
g  siege  to 
rived,  the 
rvice  had 
nee  of  tlie 
rrison  set 
g  siege. — 
it  the  dis- 
le  country 
)ws.  TliC 
f  defence, 
lired  ni^|;ht 
the  siege. 


The  asslsta 

pal  CMi;inct' 

was  ncccss 

in  tiie  fort, 

part  vol  nut 

ilcrond  fhci 

one  oi  <lic  \ 

notinu;  the 

in  ;r'('a<:  foi 

iuA  Indian? 

'?  iew  shot  i 

retire.     A  ( 

.ij;eneral  Cla 

militia  froni 

.siillerers  dui 

(lannei-,  and 

On  the  thixM 

select! rif^  the 

around   the 

eiectinc;  bat 

ihey  were  c 

Meio^s;  but  t 

to  proceed  ii 

itept  up  by  t 

artijjerj,  but 

side. 

The  garris 
their  well  noi 
great  risk  to 
the  river.     T 
served,  to  gu 
on  their  arm: 
the  first  of  M, 
his  batteries, 
pounder,  one 
teriaj  injury 
in-chief  made 
bench  m  whii 
iiian  was  mo' 
an  additional 
hundred  and 


.■'■JiBk,.!;»,vit.»' 


niSTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


109 


The  assistance  of  captains  Wood  and  Graiiot,  hife  princi- 
pal cni^incers,  enabled  him  to  put  in  practice  whatever 
was  necessary  to  improve  his  fortifications.  The  troops 
in  the  fort,  to  the  number  of  twelve  hundred,  the  greater 
part  volunteers,  were  in  high  spirits,  and  (h»termined  to 
(h'lVnd  themselves  to  the  utmost.  On  the  twenty-eighth, 
one  ok  the  parties  'Constantly  kept  out  for  the  purpose  of 
notinii;  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  reported  that  he  was 
ill  ;:'Tat  force  about  three  miies  below.  A  few  British 
a<)(l  Indians  showed  themselves  on  the  opposite  side;  but 
;?  iew  shot  from  an  eighteen  pounder,  compelled  them  to 
rotire.  A  despatch  was  now  setii,  to  hasten  the  march  of 
^oneral  Clay,  who  was  ap])r()acirmg  witli  twelve  hundred 
militia  from  Kcjitucky.  These  brave  jjeople,  so  much 
siilVorers  during  the  war,  were  ever  the  foremost  to  meet 
(laimer,  and  the  first  to  fly  to  the  relief  of  their  friends. 
On  the  three  following  days,  the  enemy  was  occu[)ie(l  in 
selecting  the  best  positions  on  either  side  of  the  river, 
around  the  fort,  whence  it  might  be  annoyed,  and  in 
erecting  batteries,  on  the  opposite  side;  in  the  latter, 
they  were  considerably  impeded  by  the  fire  from  fort 
Meigs;  but  they  usually  availed  themselves  of  the  night, 
to  proceed  in  the  work.  A  fire  of  small  arms  had  been 
kept  up  by  them,  which  was  returned  by  the  Anierican 
artillery,  but  without  any  loss  of  impoitance  on  cither 
side. 

The  garrison  suffered  somewhat  from  want  of  water, 
their  well  not  being  completed;  and  it  was  attended  with 
great  risk  to  obtain  their  supply  during  the  night  from 
the  river.  The  perpetual  vigilance  necessary  to  be  ob- 
served, to  guard  against  a  surprise,  by  lying  constantly 
on  their  arms  was  calculated  to  wear  them  down.  On 
the  first  of  May,  the  enemy  had  succeeded  in  mounting 
his  batteries,  and  opened  a  fire  with  one  twenty-four 
pounder,  one  twelve,  one  six,  and  one  howitzer.  I'no  ma- 
terial injury  was  done  on  eiMier  siae:  the  commander- 
in-chief  made  a  narrow  escape,  a  ball  having  struck  a 
bench  m  which  he  was  sitting;  and  some  days  before,  a 
man  was  mo'  tally  wounded  by  his  side.  -.  On  the  third, 
an  additional  battery  was  opened,  at  the  distance  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  fort,  mounted  with  a 

io 


^'  .•»  .'■,» 


<•,  ■■   ' 


|||p 


m 


,1*  .! 


110 


HISTORY  OF  TllK  WAR. 


I. .  , 


luortar,  and  a  minibor  of  bombs  were  thrown;  but  tlm 
was  several  limes  sileiieed.  In  this  nart  of  the  Hie!;(\ 
m:ijor  (Imnibers  approached  the  fort  with  a  flag,  and  for 
the  first  time  summoned  the  plate  io  surremler.  Iln 
stated,  that  tlu*  Hritisli  coniniand^'i'  '—s desirous  of  spnr- 
ittg  *he  effusion  of  human  hlooilf  ais  force  was  so  im- 

mense ihat  it  would  Ik^  imi)ossible  to  withstand  it;  aiul 
tl;at,  unless  the  Americans  tlirew  themy^elves  at  once  upon 
the  tender  mercy  of  Proctor,  they  niij!;ht  expect  to  Im 
massacred  in  cold  blood.  This  summons  was  received 
by  Harrison,  with  t!»e  contempt  and  indignation  it  merit- 
ed. To  look  for  mercy  from  the  hands  of  Proctor,  yet 
reekinjs;  from  the  murder  of  the  Kentuckians,  at  the  river 
Raisin,  would  have  been  imbecility  indeed;  and  il  he  hud 
not  been  able  to  restrain  the  Indians  then,  how  could  he 
now ;  when,  accoriling  to  his  ow n  account,  the  number  of 
Indians  collected,  was  greater  than  had  ever  been  known. 
The  commander  expressed  his  surprise,  that  the  garrison 
had  not  been  summoned  before;  this  at  least  implied  tiiey 
thought  him  resolved  to  do  his  duty:  and  that  as  to  the 
number  of  his  force,  which  he  represented  as  of  such  uii- 
tisual  magnitude,  it  was  a  trick  which  he  perfectly  un- 
derstood. He  then  requested  major  Chambers  to  retinn 
for  answer  to  general  Proctor,  that  while  he  had  the  hon- 
our to  command  an  American  fort,  it  should  never  surren- 
der to  a  combined  force  of  British  and  Indians. 

The  siege  was  renewed  witli  great  vigour;  and  the  fir- 
ing was  hotly  kept  up  on  both  sides.  The  Indians  inouiit- 
e^l  on  trees  at  some  distance  from  the  fort,  fired  into  it, 
and  killed  and  wounded  several.  On  the  fifth,  a  small 
party  from  the  advancing  corps  uiuler  general  Clay, 
reached  the  fort  with  the  information,  that  lie  was  in  his 
boats  not  many  miles  above.  Orders  were  instantly'  des- 
patched by  the  commander-in-chief  to  the  general,  re- 
(juiring  him  to  detach  eight  hundred  men  for  the  purpose 
of  landing  on  the  opposite  side,  and  destroying  the  ene- 
my's batteries;  and  in  ihe  meanwhile  he  projected  a 
sortie  against  those  on  the  side  of  the  fort,  under  the 
command  of  lieutenant  colonel  Miller,  of  the  nineteenth 
United  States  infantry.  This  simultaneous  attack  was 
well  planned;  should  it  succeed,  the  enemy  would  be  in- 


■H 


HISTORY  OK  TIIK  V>  AR. 


Ill 


evcrsunen- 


stanlly  cninpollod  to  mlsc  thn  sioj>;o.  ('olonfl  DmIIcy, 
uiiowas  chai'Kod  with  i\\v  cxecuticm  orHic  onler  by  ^cn^ 
rnil  CMny.  lamliMl  his  iikmi  in  ^;oo(l  order,  and  then  ad- 
vaiKcd  nil  tin*  enemy's  cann<»n.  The  four  hatteries  were 
carried  in  an  instant,  and  tlic  British  re<;ulursand  Indians 
foiniH'lled  to  <ake  to  fli;:;ht.  A  larjje  body  of  Indians,  un- 
iior  the  celebrated  Tecuinseh,  was  on  their  march  to  the 
British  camp,  when  they  met  the  fnp;itives;  this  body  was 
in>itantlv  ordered  to  form  an  ambush;  and  wait  the  ap- 
pniath  (»r  the  Americans:  and,  to  decoy  them,  a  few  In- 
dians shewed  themselves  out  of  the  woods,  as  if  to  renew 
(lie  action.  Colonel  Dudley  having;  executed  his  order:*, 
(oininanded  a  retreat;  but  liis  men,  (lushe<l  with  victory, 
and  roused  with  the  desire  of  revenj^ini^  their  slaui^htered 
rountrymen,  pushed  forward  with  irresistible  impetuos- 
ity. Their  contmander  in  vain  attempted  to  check  their 
career;  lie  even  turned  his  espontoon  against  them;  but 
nothing  could  restrain  them.  In  a  few  moments,  they 
found  themselves  surrounded  by  three  times  their  num- 
ber. A  desperate  fight  now  ensued,  which  was  followed 
by  a  slaughter  of  the  Kentuckians,  almost  as  terrible  as 
the  river  Raisin,  though  not  to  the  same  extent  after  the 
battle.  The  chief  who  now  commanded,  was  of  a  much 
more  generous  character  than  Round-head  or  Proctor; 
and  even  on  the  Held  of  battle  personally  interposed  to 
save  tliose  who  yielded.  But  one  hun(lre<l  and  fifty  made 
llieir  escape;  the  rest  were  either  killed  or  missing.  Co- 
lonel Dudley  attempted  to  cut  his  way  through  to  the 
river;  but  was  killed,  having  himself  slain  an  Indian  after 
lie  was  mortally  wounded.  The  other  party,  under  gen- 
eral Clay,  landed  upon  the  side  of  the  f<»rt,  and  was  near 
being  drawn  in  like  manner  into  an  ambush,  when  gen- 
eral Harrison  ordered  a  troop  of  horse  to  sully  out  and 
cover  their  retreat. 

The  impetuosity  of  colonel  Dudley's  party,  in  some 
measure,  disconcerted  the  plan  of  the  sortie  under  colonel 
Miller.  Nothwithstanding  this,  he  sallied  forth  at  the 
head  of  three  hundred  men,  assaulted  the  whole  line  of 
their  works,  manned  by  three  hundred  and  fifty  regulars 
and  five  hundred  Indians,  and  after  several  brUliant 
charges,  drove  the  enemy  from  their  principal  batteries, 


m 


r 


m 

.   ,1' 

1*' 

ft- 

«3. 

7«5-' 

M< 

«^ 

A  ■ 

'•^ 

ny 

^1 

m 

M 


.> 


HISTORY  OF  THE  AVAIL 


^.plked  the  cannon, and  ro<mrnMl  («» iho  fori  with  forty-two 
prisoners.  The  lirst  char;>;»'  wan  nwule  on  the  CaiWHliaii^ 
and  IndianH  by  major  AU'xaniK'i  's  hadalion;  (he  second  hy 
<  (donri  MiUer,  against  the  ie;;ulars;  the  otllcers  ol'tlicM', 
uerc  Cr(»^ih'in,  Jian;i;han),  liradi'ord,  u  p;allant  otliccr, 
Xearinji;,  and  lieutenant  Caniphell,  aF)d  a  coiunany  of 
kcutiickians,  conwnanded  hy  captain  Salirie,  wl»o  liad  dis- 
»ini;uishetl  liiniseli"  in  the  hiiKle  of  Krcnchlown:  this  com- 
pany was  particuhiily  reniarkeil;  it  maintained  itsi;roiMi(l 
ui(h  unshaken  lirmness,  at  one  time,  ay;ainst  four  tiuics 
their  numbers;  tliey  uere  entirely  suirounded,  and  would 
have  Ijeen  cut  utV, had  not  lieutenant  Gwyniu',  ol*  the  nino- 
fecnth,  charged  the  enemv,  and  released  them. 

A  cessation  of  hostilities  took  jilace  durinj;  the  throo 
following  days;  flaj^s  frecjuently  passed  between  the  he- 
siej;crs  and  the  besieged,  and  arrangements  were  entered 
into  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners.  Tecumseh  agreed 
(0  relea?*e  his  claim  to  the  persons  taken  by  the  Indians, 
provided  some  Wyandots,  to  the  number  of  forty,  were 
delivered  up;  and  Proctor  promised  to  furnish  a  list  of 
(he  killed,  \ii)und  d  and  prisoners;  with  tliis,  howevei-,  he 
never  complied.  Oii  the  ninth,  the  enemy  aj)peare(l  to 
be  engaged  in  making  preparations  for  raising  the  sie<!;e; 
a  schooner,  and  some  gun-boats  had  been  brought  up 
iiuring  the  night,  for  the  purpose  of  embarking  their  ar- 
tillery; a  few  shot  from  the  fort  compelled  them  to  reliii- 
quisii  this  design,  and  at  ten  o'clock,  they  raised  the  siege, 
and  moved  oiVwith  their  whole  force. 

Thus  terminated  a  siege  of  thirteen  days,  in  whicli 
our  enemies  were  taught,  that  in  future  they  must  expect 
to  meet  with  resistance  different  from  that  which  they 
had  experienced  from  Hull;  and  that,  if  they  should  suc- 
ceed in  taking  an  American  garrison,  it  must  be  after  se- 
vere fighting.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  the  fort,  was 
eighty-one  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  eighty-nine 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  Kentuckians,  as  usual,  was 
much  the  most  severe,  having  upwards  of  seventy 
killed  and  wounded,  besides  the  loss  under  colonel 
Dudley.  This  officer  was  much  regretted;  few  men  in 
Kentucky  were  more  generally  esteemed;  his  body,  af- 
ter much  search  was  found  unburied,  and  horribly  man- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


113 


'urty-two 
aniMliiins; 
,o(<»ml  1))' 

it.  nlVurr, 
nnany  of 
0  h:ul  <lis- 
tl.is  cu\\\- 
i(ss;i'()niMl 
\uir  I'mucs 
[\\{\  wonltl 
;  the  niiio- 

thc  throe 
en  tl»e  lu'- 
re  entered 
H'li  aj2;ieecl 
le  Indians, 
forty,  were 
ih  a  list  of 
owever,  he 
)peare(l  to 
tlie  sie<!;e; 
)roui»;ht  up 
^^  their  ar- 
\\\  to  reliii- 
l  the  siej^e, 


fr\o{\.     He  wan  inlriTLMl,  to^rt'ther  willi  some  of  \\U  coni- 
imiiionH,  with  the  honouis  of  war. 

The  force  under  j^enoral  I'roctor  was  reported  at  five 
huinbed  ami  fifty  rev;ularH,  ei;';ht  htuidre*!  nnlitia,  and  at 
h'ast  filteonhunih(Ml  Indians,  wlio  foui»ht  with  threat  coin- 
age, and,  on  seveial  occasions,  icscued  their  allies  in  the 
sorties  fnnn  the  jii;arrison.  On  the  day  of  the  last  alVaii", 
Tccuinsch  arrived  iik  person,  with  the  largest  body  of  In- 
dians that  had  ever  been  collected  on  the  northern  fron- 
tier; and  had  not  the  sortie  taken  place,  it  is  proljabh"!  the 
situation  of  the  aiiny  would  have  been  extremely  critical. 
The  Inilians,  after  the  battle,  according;  to  the  cus((»n» 
which  prevails  amon<;st  them,  had  leturned  to  their  vil- 
lai^es  in  spite  of  the  exertions  of  Tecumseh,  and  his  sub- 
ordiiiale  chiefs.  Thus  weakened,  Proct(M-  was  ohli-^ed 
precipitately  to  retreat,  leaving:;  behind  many  valual)h*  ai- 
ticles,  which  in  his  haste  he  was  unable  to  cairy  away. 
IJesides  the  American  officers  already  name<l,  there  \\vi\ 
many  others  who  distin^uislxMl  themselves;  major  Jiall, 
an  active  officer,  who  was  frequently  compliiin'aled  in 
ii;e!ieral  orders,  rendered  j^reat  service  durin;;  the  siejL^e; 
captain  C'roj^han,  on  one  occasion  made  a  brilliant  sortii; 
on  the  British  regulars;  majors  Todd,  Johnson,  Sedwick, 
Rit/-cii,  and  .Stoddard,  were  mentioned  in  the  most  hon- 
ourable terms;  the  latter  a  n»an  of  distinguished  literary 
attaiiunent;  he  received  a  severe  wound  of  which  he 
afterwards  died.  Captain  Jiutlei's  Pittsbur;2;h  lilues, 
which  behaved  so  handsomely  at  the  battle  of  Mississin- 
iwa,  composed  chieily  of  young  gentlemen  of  Pittsburg, 
suffered  severely;  the  accomplished  young  officer  who 
conunanded  them,  was  a  son  of  the  lamented  general 
Butler,  who  fell  in  St.  Clair's  defeat.  It  would  be  in 
vain,  on  this  occasion,  to  enumerate  all  who  deserved  the 
applauses  of  their  country. 

After  the  siege  of  fort  Meigs,  offensive  operations  were 
for  a  considerable  time  suspended  on  either  side. 
Until  the  completion  of  the  naval  preparations  on  lake 
Erie,  which  were  then  in  considerable  forwardness,  the 
troops  were  to  remain  at  fort  Meigs,  and  Upper  San- 
dusky. Without  the  command  of  the  lake,  little  of  con- 
secpience  could  be  effected;  the  troops  would,  therefore,. 

10** 


? .. 


'   '4^ 


^r 


\  . 


f   V  ,.. 


K      "y\. 

IP   m^^ 

\m 

■-'^-  iaf.,.jM^i:(|t.i' 


114 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


wm 


continue  a  great  part  of  the  summer  in  a  state  of  inac- 
tivity, awaiting  this  event.  In  the  meantime  general 
Harrison  returned  to  Franklinton,  for  the  purpose  of  or- 
ganizing the  forces  expected  to  concentrate  at  that  place. 
A  deputation  from  all  the  Indian  tribes  residing  in  the 
state  of  Ohio,  and  some  in  the  territories  of  Indiana  and 
Illinois,  made  a  tender  of  their  services  to  follow  general 
Harrison  into  Canada.  Hitherto,  with  the  exception  of  a 
small  band  commanded  by  Logan,  a  distinguished  chief 
and  nephew  of  Tecumseh,  none  of  the  friendly  Indians 
had  been  employed  by  the  United  States.  The  advice  to 
remain  neutral,  could  not  be  understood  by  them;  they 
cx)nsidered  it  in  some  measure  a  reproach  upon  their 
courage,  more  particularly,  as  several  hostile  incursions 
had  been  made  of  late  into  their  settlements  by  the  hos- 
tile Indians.  General  Harrison  consented  to  receive 
them  into  the  service;  but  expressly  on  condition,  that 
they  should  spare  their  prisoners  and  not  assail  defence- 
less women  and  children. 

Although  the  settled  parts  of  the  country  were  shield- 
ed from  the  depredations  of  the  Indians,  they  still  con- 
tinued to  attack  the  settlements  along  the  borders  of  the 
lake,  from  Frenchtown  to  Erie.  These  inroads  receiv- 
'(»d  a  temporaiT  check,  from  a  squadron  of  horse  under 
major  Ball.  This  officer  was  descending  the  Sandusky 
with  twenty-two  men,  when  he  was  fired  upon,  by  about 
ihe  same  number  of  Indians  in  ambuscade.  He  charged 
upon  them,  drove  them  from  their  hiding  places,  and 
after  an  obstinate  contest  on  the  plain,  favourable  for  the 
operations  of  cavalry,  he  first  Ikilled  their  chiefs;  the 
savages  seeing  no  hopes  of  escape  contended  with  dread- 
ful fury  until  the  whole  band  was  destroyed.  During  the 
heat  of  the  fidit  the  major  was  dismounted,  and  had  a 
j)ersonal  conflict  with  a  chief  of  prodigious  strength,  and 
they  fought  with  desperation,  until  an  officer  sliot  the 
Indian. 

We  now  return  to  the  operations  of  our  armies  on  the 
northern  frontiers,  events  of  a  very  important  character 
}»aving  transpired  in  that  quarter,  since  the  winter,  by 
which  fwstilities  had  b«en  suspended. 


, ,  jst««««te!itij  ;*.•»■*«» 


HTW-'-TT^'':.  ^'  .'"*^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR.  115 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

Britisli  piriwrations  in  (Janada — Incnfsion  of  Forsytlie— .Attack  on 
Oi'-'leusljurj^Ii— The  takiii};  of  York  and  dcHth  of'l*ike — Takiufif  of 
f(;rt  Gcorj^e— Hattle  of  Stonoy  Creek,  and  capture  of  generals  Chan- 
dler and  Winder — General  IJrown  defends  vSaekett's  Harboui* — Ke- 
aijjnation  of  general  IJeaihorn— The  town  of  Sodus  attacked — Bat- 
tle of  the  Beaver  Dams—Second  taking  of  York — British  devastate 
tiie  borders  of  lake  Chaniplain — Cruise  of  commodore  Chauiice}'. 

During  the  winter,  Great  Britain  had  sent  a  number 
of  troops  to  Halifax,  for  the  purpose  of  being  employed, 
in  the  spring,  in  the  defence  of  Canada.  The  recent 
success  of  the  allies  on  the  continent,  had  taken  away 
any  disposition  she  might  have  had  for  a  peace,  as  was 
clearly  proved  by  the  rejection  of  the  Russian  mediation. 
The  militia  of  Canada  was  disciplined  with  great  care, 
and  from  the  greater  energy  of  the  British  government, 
it  was  enabled  to  bring  them  more  promptly  into  service, 
and  to  retain  them  for  a  longer  term;  whereas,  during 
the  past  year,  from  the  war  being  unpopular,  it  was  dif- 
ficult to  prevail  on  the  state  authorities  to  call  out  the 
militia;  and  volunteers,  by  which  the  war  to  the  west- 
ward was  so  spiritedly  carried  on,  came  forward,  in  the 
northern  section  of  the  union,  in  but  small  numbers. 
It  was  still  hoped  that  such  preparations  would  be  made, 
during  the  wmter,  as  would  lead  to  something  of  more 
importance  than  had  been  done  the  year  before,  although 
the  golden  moment  for  the  conquest  of  Canada  had  pas- 
sed, tlie  British  having  so  strengthened  themselves,  as  to 
render  the  execution  of  such  a  project,  a  matter  of  ex- 
treme difficulty.  It  was  thought,  however,  that  by  one 
more  vigorous  etfort,  particularly  if  the  spirit  of  the  north- 
ern states  could  be  roused,  and  the  nation  be  made  to 
move  forth  in  its  strength,  something  yet  might  be  ef- 
fected. If  a  complete  command  could  be  obtained  on 
the  lakes,  the  whole  of  Upper  Canada,  at  least,  must  fall 
before  winter. 

A  mutual  exchange  of  prisoners  had  taken  place,  and 
arrangements  were  entered  into,  to  effect  this  in  future: 


'■4  '  I 


1  '., 


^m 


\\{^ 


IllsroUV  Oh'  TIFK  VVVH. 


f?l     ■>!.:. 


m;L 


l>v  wlnrh  iu«v\ns  mouio  vi>luj»I»l»«  ollii •<M'«i,  fjikcii  in  llic  lim( 
raiup;n<vn,  wrio  rosloriMl.  TIm'  (roiips,  (MiIImIimI  in  (|ir 
initllanil  and  norlluMii  slnl(»s,  uimc  ninrclMMl  In  lh»«  Ikmi- 
<i«M',  and  all  tlio  norossai  v  sn)i|>li('H  ami  nuinilinns  ot 
war  woro  assidunUMlv  ioIIocUmI  at  <Im'  dilVoirnt  \u)h\a 
•,\\{)u\X.  ll\olino.  M\i'('n<i!)iv  sonn«  |»ar(i/,an  allaiiM,  nnlliinu; 
ol'  <  (»n*<»M|U«MnM»  <rat\s|»ir(Ml  iluiinu;  <ln'  witiior. 

In  tin'  nn»n(h  of  Krlnnary;  a  parlv  ol"  (ln»  oninnv,  who 
rrnssoil,  in  soauli  nf  scnni'  of  llnMi*  «1(»sor(rrM,  (Mnnniidcd 
manv  wanlnn   ilcprodalinns  on  i\\v  hnnscs  ami  |)fn|MMlv 

led  jil 


of  ()\o  in]ial)i(ant; 


Ml 


iinr 


I' 


nrsviln',  who  i'oinn)an< 


OiidiMishtMiih,  rrsolvod  to  irtnrn  i\\v  visit.  Takinu;  a  jiarf 
of"  Ids  rillotnon,  and  such  voluntrors  as  olViMcd,  sonn*  ol 
whnn\  wiMO  privalo  sivntlonuMv  ol"  tho  noiij;hlM»urho(Ml,  lie 
cross(Ml  tho  v^t.  Lawronro,  snrpris(Ml  tho  j;uard  at  Kli/.n- 
l)«Mh-to\\n,  took  liltv-tMo  piismuMs,  ain^tns;-  whom  were 
on«'  maj(»r,  tinvo  «"aptains,  and  two  liontonants;  and  cap- 
turod  o«>o  nnndiod  and  twontv  nniskcis,  twonJv  rillcs, 
two  casks  o(  livod  am»niniition»  and  otluM-  puMnk  pKi- 
])tM'lv.  Ui'  tluMi  irtuinod,  without  the  loss  of  a  sini;lc 
man. 

Soon  ai'trr,  it  was  dlsrovoivd  thai  <l\c  THritish  niodi- 
tatod  an  attack  on  Oi;«lonsl)urnh.  (%)lomd  IJoiUMliit  cal- 
IimI  out  his  unlitia,  to  aid  in  tho  driVnco  of  tho  phn  c. 
riio  Hiitish  appeal od    on  tlu*  twonty-rnst  of  Kobniarv, 


with  twolvo  hnndivd  me 


n. 


This  i 


orco,  so  mum  sunrnoi 


to  that  of  Korsvtho.sucoiMMlod  in  oxjudlini*;  him  from  the 
town,  !>ut  not  without  a  sliarn  conllict.  The  Hritisli  al- 
fiukod  in  two  columns,  of  six*  numlrod  uhmi  each,  at  (Muhl 
oViock  in  tho  motninu-,  and  w (MV  comman<l»Ml  hv  captain 
jSI'Donnoljor  tlic  (ilcuiiaiv  liiiht  infantry,  ji  corps  tiaiucd 
with  peculiar caro,  ami  colonel  Kra/.er  ol  the  Canada  mil- 
itia. The  Americans  kept  up  the  contest  i'oranhoui, 
with  the  loss  of  twenty  men  Kille<l  and  woundeil;  and 
from  the  cool  and  deliberate  aiu)  of  the  rilleuMMi,  the  en- 
emy must  have  lost  tw  ice  that  inunher,  amon;;  whom  were 
five  oflicers  of  distinction.  A  ilourish  was  made  by  tho 
British  of  this  atVair,  which,  jud^ins;  by  what  it  cost  tliein, 
they  rejiarded  as  a  liieat  victory;  and  in  conse<|uence,  a 
messajie  was  sent  with  the  news  to  colonel  M'Feely,  coin- 
manding  tiie  American  garrison  of  Niagara,  inforniii)^ 


MHMH 


MMMMPMI 


iirsToriv  OK  TfiF':  \v\u. 


ii; 


liiin  (h.'if  i\  Mnlii(«^  woiiM  be  liicil  IVorii  lorj  (i«»orji;<'.  Tlio 
AiMcricnn  ollim-  rxpn'HmMl  U\a  siitiHrnrlioii  nl  lH'iii«i;  ;il»l«' 
Jor(*hiiM  ilic  i'dinplinicnl,  .'ih  Im>  IiihI  jiihI  i('(  rived  iiilrl 
liirciico  o(  IIh"  c.'iplmr  of  liin  iii.ijeMly'H  (Viirafc  .Ihvji,  l»y 
;iti  /ViiH'iicnii  IVifrrifr  of  (Mjiial  ('oi(  <",  and  irifeiulrd  lo  Cin" 
,1  saliHr  iVoui  Niagnrn,  at  ilu*  Haiiic  (itue,  in  lioiioin  ol'tliiH 
liiiHiaiil  vi<'i<>ry. 

liodicH  i)\  lu'w  Irvirw  wjtc  <laily  aiiivin';  at  Sac  krfl'.^ 
llailMMH',  aii<i  flic  viiinilv  ol  lliat,  plarr.  To  convf'rl 
iii'W  rccinilH,  in  IIm*  rnniso  oT  a.  lew  nionlln,  info  <'ni- 
( icnl  liodjjs,  was  iMtl  an  niM-ralion  racily  ixMlornicd.     In- 


lcrii(ii!;al>I«'  indusliy  wan  tliHplaycd,  in  IniH  t^sHcnlial  duty 
l|V  J'ikc,  lufoly  proin(»(('d  to  <h<*  raidc  of  a  hrij^adipr,  in 
rn(iM(M|U(MMU'  or  hifl  nuMiforioiis  scMvics,  and  incrcaHin^ 
ivpidalion.  Pike,  wan  alnwwt  (  ra<II<'d  in  (hi;  camp;  liin 
lallicr  a  rcvoliirfonary  <dric<M',  was  wtill  iti  tin*,  army  but  too 
[]\\'  atlvanccil  in  life  for  acflvc  siMvicp.  Hi;  waH  a'ujuainl- 
(?(l  wilb  all  flw  dcfailH  of"  lln;  mililary  prrtfVssion,  navinj;- 
?^rrv('d  in  t'verj  uradc  from  a  soldiiM-  (o  i\\r  jrcncral.  Ilr 
)M)ssi>s('d  an  arik'nf  njind,  an«1  ^vas  lii:.dily  animated  by  a 
desire  ofmaifial  t!,loiy  and  renown.  I'ike  was  already  a 
fiivourile  in  (he  IJniled  Sfates,  and  distin'rnished  aH  one 
of  the  adven(MroiiH  ex|>lorers  of  (he  inimer»se  weH(ern  de- 
M'll.  He  had  here*  j;iven  proofs  of  mMih  fortitude  of 
iiiiiid,  vijj;our  of  bocly,  ami  ji^reat  prudence  and  int(dli- 
iveiice.  lli.H  /.eal  atid  activity  were  afterwardH  ronnpicu- 
(iiis,  in  the  suctcss  with  wlii<h  he  fornied  the;  rey;iment 
|)laced  under  his  comm.flid.  lie  was  beloved  by  Ids 
ir(M)|)S,  w  Innu  he  knew  how  to  (Mii!;ai;e,  ajnl  into  whom  he 
(onid  iid'use  a  portion  of  his  own  i:;enerf)us  spiiit.  It  is 
not  surprisiiii^,  therefore,  that  th(;  progress  made  by  the 
lro()|)s  at  Sackett's  Harbour,  under  the  unceasin;;  atten- 
tion of  this  acconjj)lished  oflicer,  should  be  nrn4sually 
ra|)id.  Nothinji;'  was  \vantin|^  but  an  oppoitunity,  on  t[;e 
npetiin<r  of  the  caujpai,u;n,  to  lead  them  to  the  achievement 


ot 


s(»u\e  glorious  exp 


loit. 


I'his  oj)port unity  was  not  l(m«>;  in  presenting;  itscdf. 
The  lake  was  no  so(»ner  clear  of  ice,  than  a,  descent  on 
the  Canatla  shore  was  projected.  York,  the  capital  of 
Hpper  ('anada,  was  the  depot  of  all  the  IJritish  military 
stores,  whence  the  western  posts  were  supplied.    It  was 


■k 


'    ! 


118 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I 


m  •; 


ill 


known  that  a  large  vessel  was  on  the  stocks,  and  nearly 
<:ompleted.  The  importance  of  the  place  to  either  party 
was  immense;  and  should  an  attack  on  it  prove  success- 
ful, it  might  be  followed  up  by  an  immediate  attack  upon 
fort  George;  the  forces  then  concentrating,  and  aided  b) 
the  fleet,  might,  with  every  prospect  of  success  move 
against  Kingston. 

About  the  middle  of  April,  tlie  commander-in-chief, 
in  conference  with  Pike  and  other  officers,  determined  ou 
attacking  York.     Major  Forsythe,  who  had  returned  to 
Ogdensburgh  on  the  retreat  of  the  British,  was  ordered 
with  his  riflemen  to  repair  to  Sackett's   Harbour;  and 
commodore  Chauncey  received  orders  from   the  navy 
departnjent,  to  co-operate  with  general  Dearborn,  in  any 
plan  of  operations  wnich  he  miglit  wish  to  carry  into  exe- 
cution.   On  the  twenty-fifth  of  April,  the  fleet  moved 
down  the  lake,  every  arrangement  having  been  made  for 
the  projected  attack.    The  plan,  which  had  been  princi- 
pally suggested  by  Pike,  was  highly  judicious,  and  at  his 
particular  request,  the  commander-in-chief  intrusted  him 
with   its  execution.      On   the  twenty-seventh,    at    two 
o'clock,  the  fleet  safely  reached  the  place  of  debarkation. 
This  commenced  at  eight  o'clock;  and  was  completed  at 
ten.     The  spot  fixed  on  for  this  purpose  was  an  open 
space  at  the  ruins  of  Toronto,  the  former  site  of  the 
fort,  about  two  miles  above  the  present  town  of  York. 
The  British,  on  discovering  the  fleet,  hastily  made  the 
necessary  dispositions  to  oppose  the  landing  of  the  Amer- 
ican forces.     General  Sheaife  advanced  from  the  a;arrison, 
which  was  situated  above  York,  with  his  whole  force, 
consisting  of  about  seven  hundred  and  fifty  regulars  and 
■militia,  and  five  hundred  Indians, besides  a  body  of  grei) 
adiers,  and  a  corps  of  Glengary  fencibles.    The  Indians 
were  [)laced  in  the  thickets  at  thcswater's  edge,  near  the 
expected  points  of  debarkati  in,  while  the  regulars  were 
drawn  up  on  tlie  bank,  and  partly  concealed  in  a  wood. 
In  pursuance  of  the  plan  of  attack,  the  batteaux  carrying 
Forsythe  and  his  riflemen,  first  moved  to  the  shore;  this 
appeared  to  be  at  the  point  where  the  principal  force  of 
the  enemy  was  stationed.    A  galling  fire  of  musketry  and 
rifles  was  instantly  opened  on  him.    To  have  gone  higher 


lilSTORV  OF  THE  WAk 


u|)  would  have  deranw,!  (i,„  ''^ 

to  dash  at  once  i^ ii^^     XT"''  .?'""'• ''"  ''<"<'™ine,l 
ordered  (he  oar«i  f«  r.       ""^Kest  o/  the  enemv  h,u  a    1 

the  same  time  ordering  Zf    ^''  ^""^^If  and  h  s  "  taft-  l^ 

ordered  the  '-st  ^^1,  t  S';,  f;'.*!.  "^  'hf «  fi.sffo^n'^'rf'* 
tlie  bank  with  his  handfiil  n^    •'^'*'"'"  S'l'lanfyascemlt,! 

tl  em;  they  were  thrown  into  dtT,  ""petuously  upo„ 
l>ad  scarcely  been  achieved  when  ^li''^'  *"''  "^d-  Ais 
announced  that  ho  k.  f  ^"'^"  *"«  bus  »«  nf  i?„      /i 

l.l.e  bant;  at  first  it  fauhe.e^-  h'V-""^  """^  drawn  up "n" 
l;«l.  returned  to  the  rh!I     '  '"'3*',"  '^  »'<>"ient  ,,a7,.aT 
(lie  field.    'Ihc  J5H  f.l,      ^'^'  ^""^  drove  the  enemv  r 
'ance;    but  coLwerable  *'•  T'"  '''"  f^"ning7/T 
Ij-e  landed  from  tl  ete  "aS'^r'^"*?  •'"'^'4  by  this" 

'Tit:;^»ttto^^^^^^^      '"  ^"'""'"'  *^^ 

!";med  in  the  order  c™XmnS"-'^f'"^«'''  "'«y  ^ere 

Hfiet„rri-tronhff\''''^^^^^^^^ 


-ved  ;br;-v:4^^rutot^^- /^'-^^^^^ 


-eh^^^^Tari^y r  ,, *ttt"««t  P.eci;i;„,  rd'-'^i/h";: 
m-t.  "n<ll  they^merged  Ton.  ?i  ^^  S?'""^  would  per 
^-•Po-deropened  uVntrtr::!;:i%-;| 


1  ■■ 

}'p 

.""I 

■  :  «' 

il    .■.   ,  ^  y. 

■(■ 

'■'•"■    J    />■ 

,    « 

!,:•'  -V              • 

;  .f 

,'■  ^ 

*'  t'^ 

■ '  V. 

■'.;  -i- 


^ui'llh. 


1 


■  ''■  «V'      , 


lIH 


120 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


batteries.    Tlie  battery  was  soon  cleared,  and  the  co- 
lumn moved  on  to  the  second,  which  was  abandoned  on 
the  approach  of  the  Americans,  the  enemy  retroatinij;  to 
the  garrison.     General  Pike   here   ordered  the  cohpnn 
to  halt,  for  the  purpose  of  learninj»;  the  strength  of  (he 
garrison,  and  obtaining  further  information;  as  the  bar- 
racks appeared  to  have  been  evacuated,  he  suspected  a 
stratagem,  to  draw  him  within  tlie  reach  of  some  secret 
force.     Lieutenant  Riddle  was  sent  forward  to  learVi  the 
situation  of  the  enemy.     In  the  meanwhile,  the  heroick 
Pike,  as  humane  as  he  was  biave,  occupied  himself  in  re- 
moving a  wounded  Kritiyh  soldier  from  a  dangerous  .sit- 
uation, and  after  having  performed  this  act  of  liumanily, 
which  speaks  volumes  in  his  favour,  he  was  calmly  seated 
on  the  stump  of  a  tree,  in  conversation  with  a  sergeant, 
wh«  had  been  taken  prisoner,  wlien  suddenly  the  air  was 
convulsed  by  a  tremendous  explosion.     Tlie  magazine,  at 
the  distance  of  two  hundred  yards,  near  the  barracks  had 
blown  up.     The  air  was  instantly  tilled  with  huge  stones 
and  fragments  of  wood,  rent  asunder  and  whirled  aloft  by 
the  exploding  of  five  hundred  barrels  of  powder.     This 
was  the  treaclierous  attack  which   the  British  had  pre- 
pared, but  which  Pike  could  not   have  suspected.      Im- 
mense quantities  of  these  inflamed  and  blackened  masses 
fell  in  the  midst  of  the  victorious  column,  causing  a  iVight- 
ful  havock,  which  the  arms  of  their  enemies  could  not  ef- 
fect, killing  and  wounding  upwards  of  two  hundred,  and 
amongst  them  their  beloved  commander,  the  heroick  Pike. 
The  brave  troops,  though  for  a  moment  confounded  by 
the  shock,  were  soon  called  to  their  recollection  by  the 
national  musick,  Yankee  Doodle.    The  column  was  in- 
stantly closed  up,  and  they  rent  the  air,  in  their  turn, 
with  tliree  loud  huzzas! 

The  wound  of  Pike,  a  severe  contusion,  was  soon  found 
to  be  mortal;  he  still,  however,  preserved  his  undaunted 
spirit;  "move  on  my  brave  fellows,  and  revenge  your 
general,"  he  cried,  addressing  them  for  the  last  time. 
They  instantly  obeyed.  He  was  then  tak^n  up  by  some 
of  his  men,  to  be  conveyed  on  board  the  ship;  scarcely 
had  he  reached  the  shore  of  tlie  lake,  when  a  Uud  and 
victorious  shout  from  his  brigade  brightened,  i'ot  a  mo- 

si 

■i 


■  antiqui 
(er  of 
own.    ; 
perfect 
are  the 
any  of  I 
persons 
iick  proj 
to  say  ^ 
sentimej 
original 
tain  it  is 
refined  1 
itself,  in 
who  has  ( 
sieenis  to 
theatre  oi 
On  the 
colonel  P 
^ound  ain 
liavin§-  ret 
acquaintet 
mander-in 
ed;  other, 
stores,  mm 


id  the  co- 
ld ouetl  on 
tioatini;;  to 
lie  c(»lu'nn 
igtli  of  the 
as  tl\e  bar- 
u spec ted  a 
>me  secret 
0  learVi  the 
the  heroick 
[iiself  in  re- 
iigerous  sit- 
f  humanity, 
Imly  seated 
a  serj^eant, 
the  ail-  was 
magazine,  at 
»arracks  liad 
huce  stones 
rled  aloft  by 
^der.     'I'bis 
ish  had  pre- 
ected.      Ini- 
ened  masses 
sing  a  iVight- 
could  not  ef- 
lundred,  and 
eroick  Pike. 
.iVninded  by 
|Ction  by  the 
mm  was  in- 
their  turn, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


121 


ineiit,  the  expiring  lamn  of  life;  a  faint  sigh  was  all  his 
strength  would  permit  liini  to  express.  Shortly  after  his 
being  carried  on  board  the  Pert,  the  British   flag  was 
brought  to  him;  at  sight  of  it,  his  eyes  again   resumed 
its  lustre  for  a  moment,  and  making  sign^  for  it  to  be 
placed  under  his  head,  he  gloriously  expired.     Thus  fell, 
a  warriour  who  w  ill  live  w  ith  honour  in  the  page  of  his- 
toiy.     lirave,  prudent,  and  chivalrous,  he  was  adorned 
with  that  moral  excellence  which  is  essential  to  the  ac- 
( oinplished  soldier  and  the  real  hero.     Thus  falling  in  the 
very  day-spring  of  life,  we  can  but  feebly  anticipate  what 
the  ripened  age  of  so  mucii  promise  would  bring  forth. 
Ife  was  amiable  in  all  the  domestick  relations  of  life, 
strickly  observant  of  the  duties  of  morality  and  religion; 
he  was  a  sincere  patriot,  whose  chief  ambition   was  to 
give  distinction  to  his  country.     With  him  the  Scipios  of 
antiquity  were  no  fables;  and  the  fate,  as  well  as  charac- 
ter of  Montgomery,  whose  name  he  bore,  were  truly  his 
own.    No  otiicer  ever  entertained  a  more  refined  and 
perfect  sense  of  honourable   warfare;  as  a  proof  of  it, 
are  the  orders  which  he  gave  this  memorable  day,  tiiat 
any  of  his  soldiers,  who  should  molest  the  ]Jossessions  or 
persons  of  the  iidiabitants,  or  wantonly  tiestroy  the  ])ub- 
lick  property,  should  sutler  instant  death.     It  is  difficult 
to  say  whether  such  men  are  actuated  by  the  prevailing 
sentiments   of  their  country,  or  whetiier  they  give  an 
original  tone  to  its  manners  and  habits  of  thinking:  cer- 
tain it  is,  that  both  in  our  army  and   navy,  a  species  of 
refined  honour  and  generosity  has  uniformly  manifested 
itself,  in  striking  contrast  with  the  conduct  of  our  enemy, 
who  has  elsewhere  exhibited  the  noblest  traits,  but  who 
seems  to  consider  this  new  world,  too  contemptible  a 
theatre  on  which  to  appear  with  any  dignity  .of  character. 
On  the  fall  of  general  Pike,  the  command  devolved  on 
colonel  Pearce,  who  advanced  to  the  barracks,  which  he 
found  already  in  the  possession  of  Forsythe;  the  enemy 
having-  retieated  to  the  fort.     There  being  now  no  person 
acquainted  with  the  plan  of  the  invasion  but  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, the  enemy  was  not  immediately  pursu- 
ed;  otherwise  the  whole   of  the  regulars   and  publick 
stores,  must  have  fallen  into  our  hands.    The  Americans, 

11 


'^.    . 


.  ^    , 

;-  .u 

i  ■  ; 

'% 


122 


HISTORY  OV  THE  WAR. 


after  IjaKins  a  short  time,  moved  on  towards  Ihc  tow  ijj 
and  drawinji;  near  it  were  met  by  oflicers  of  the  (aii- 
achi  militia,  witli  oifers  of  capituhition.  This  produced 
some  dehiy;  but  it  being  suspected  that  it  was  oidy  in- 
tended to  fa«  'litate  the  escape  of  general  SheafFe  and  the 
princi])al  ])art  of  his  regulars,  and  to  gain  time  while  they 
could  destroy  the  militar}  stores,  and  burn  the  vessel  on 
the  stocks,  Forsythe  and  Ripley  pushed  forward,  and 
^vere  soon  after  lollowed  by  Pearce.  The  strictest  ob- 
servance of  Pike's  order,  wilh  respect  to  the  treatment 
of  the  iidiabitants  and  their  property,  was  enjoined.  At 
lour  o'clock  the  Americans  were  masters  of  the  town. 
Although  with  just  ridU  they  might  be  enraged  at  tiie 
conduct  of  the  British,  as  well  for  their  barbarous  p.nd 
nnmanly  attempt  to  destroy  them  by  a  mine,  as  their 
amusing  them  under  the  pretence  of  discussiiig  the  stip- 
ulations of  surrender,  the  troops  conducted  tiiemselves 
with  the  most  perfect  order  and  forbearance;  perlia}  s 
considering  this  the  best  testimonial  of  res])ect  for  tlieir 
brave  leader.  The  stipulations  of  surrender  were  enter- 
ed into  with  colonel  Pearce,  at  the  very  moment  the 
British  were  engaged  in  the  destructicm  of  the  pubiick 
property.  By  the  terms  of  the  stipulation,  the  troops, 
regulars  and  militia,  naval  officers  and  seamen,  were  siii- 
rendered  prisoners  of  war;  all  the  pubiick  stores  were 
given  up,  and  all  private  property  was  to  be  guaranteed 
to  the  citizens  of  York;  every  thing  relating  to  the  civil 
departments  should  be  respected;  and  the  surgeons,  at- 
tending on  the  wounded,  should  not  be  considered  as 
prisoners  of  war. 

On  entering  the  house  appropriated  for  the  sittings  of 
the  legislature,  a  discovery  was  made,  which  cannot 
be  spoken  of  without  feelings  of  indignation.  Among 
the  regal  trophies,  a  human  scalp  was  found  over  the 
mace,  near  the  speaker's  chair!  Other  nations  have  en- 
deavoured to  civilize  the  Indians,  by  inducing  them  to 
imitate  the  manners  of  the  Europeans;  the  officers  of 
the  British  government  alone  have  taken  pains  to  pam- 
per their  savage  propensities,  not  merely  by  indulgence, 
but  by  adopting  their  horrid  customs.  A  human  scalp 
hung  up  as  a  trophy,  iu  the  legislative  hall  of  a  civilized 


and 

talit' 

Uml 

seen 
tlon  ( 
tlie  M. 
fiiwe  i 
below 
nai^-h 
lilv.  vvii 

tV,  \\\] 

con  nte 
fame,  ' 
try;  or 
tvofsi 
tould  n 
plav  so 

h  seejr 
other  sii 
this   yoi 
bol  of  t\ 
spectab! 
ing  to  e 
men,  wh 
Notwi 
covery  o 
enemies, 
fitting  I 
lacks  the 
^^'io  renia 
<'ie  detes 
*'ieni;  not 
and  the  s 
'T  on  the 
J'ck  store 
(''stribute^ 
^">''dy  sati 
P''^"cipal  c 
^^lanks   to 
^^as  manift 
safety  of  t\ 


] 


mm 


he  U)\\h; 
i\\Q  C'au- 
produccd 
only  in- 
e  ami  the 
^hile  they 
vessel  on 
vard,  and 
iciest  ob- 
trcatinent 
)med.    At 
the  town, 
wd  at  the 
barous  ?.nd 
uc,  as  their 
acr  the  stip- 
themselves 
ce;  perhav;3 
>ct  for  then- 
were  enter- 
monieiit  the 
the  publick 
the  troops, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


]2^ 


and  christian  people!  Can  we  now  wonder  at  the  bru- 
tality with  v/hicli  the  war  was  conducted  towards  us? 
Had  the  eloquent  and  virtuous  Chatham  lived  to  have 
seen  this  day,  what  must  he  have  thought  of  the  degrada- 
ti(»n  of  his  countrymeni  Would  he  not  have  renounced 
the  name  of  Briton,  thus  scandalized,  by  all  th.at  is  pro- 
fane and  indecent?  Wouhl  he  not  think  nis  country  sunk 
below  tlie  level  of  civilized  nation?,  in  so  far  setting  at 
naught  the  precepts  of  religion  and  humanity,  as'to  min- 
jrlc  with  her  regal  trophies,  the  detestable  symbol  of  cruel- 
ty, which  disj'races  even  the  savage?  Can  these  things  b(? 
countenanceu  by  the  enlightened  Englishmen,  whose 
fume,  whose  writings,  receive  a  second  life  in  this  counr 
try;  or  will  he  disbelieve  that  his  countrymen  can  be  guil- 
ty of  such  atrocities?  For  we,  who  have  seen  and  felt  them^ 
v.x)uid  not  otherwise  have  believed  that  a  people,  who  dis- 
play so  many  virtues  both  in  peace  and  war,  should  thus 
forget  what  belongs  to  the  character  of  christian  men. 
It  seeins  then,  whatever  their  conduct  may  be  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Atlantic;  that  in  this  new  world,  and  to 
this  youthful  nation,  they  would  say,  by  the  horrid  sym- 
bol of  the  scalp,  that  they  have  renounced  all  that  is  re- 
spectable among  civilized  men,  while  we  are  endeavour- 
ing to  emulate  the  actions  of  those  illustrious  En»lish- 
men,  whose  fame  their  degenerate  sons  have  disgraced. 

Notwithstanding  the  ample  cause  of  rage,  in  the  dis- 
covery of  this  additional  proof  of  the  disposition  of  their 
enemies,  the  soldiery  was  perfectly  restrained  from  com- 
mitting any  acts  or  violence;  they  marched  to  the  bar- 
racks the  same  evening,  with  the  exception  ot  i.  nflemen, 
who  remained  in  town.  No  part  of  the  house  in  which 
the  detested  scalp  was  found,  underwent  any  injury  from 
them;  nothing  was  carried  away  except  the  odious  trophy 
and  the  speaker's  mace.  So  far  from  inflicting  any  inju- 
ry on  the  inhabitants,  a  considerable  portion  of  t!ie  pub- 
lick  stores,  which  could  not  easily  be  transported,  were 
distributed  among  them,  and  they  expressed  themselves 
highly  satisfied  with  the  conduct  of  the  Americans.  The 
principal  civil  officers  of  the  place  addressed  a«  letter  of 
thanks  to  general  Dearborn,  for  the  strict  regard  which 
was  manifested  by  the  troops  under  his  command,  for  the 
8a(\^ty  of  the  persons  and  property  of  the  inhabitants. 


iV  • 


i  y>. 


►    It  ':  . 


. 

i  ■ 

t 

11 

1 

'11 

1^24 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


The  commander-in-chief  landcc!  soon  after  the  fall  ol 
Pike,  but  did  not  »nssume  the  immediate  command  until 
rifter  the  surrender  of  the  town. 

Great  assistance  was  rendered  during  the  cn;j;agempnt 
hy  the  co-ojjeration  of  commodore  Chauncey,  after  lantl- 
inp;  the  troops.  Th**  vessels,  in  consequence  of  a  contra- 
ry V,  irid,  were  com])clle(l  to  beat  up  to  their  several  posi- 
tions  witli  j:;reat  difficulty,  and  under  a  heavy  fne  from 
the  batteries.  When  this  was  ettected,  they  opened  a 
j;-allin^  and  destructive  fire,  which  contributed  much  to 
}ho  success  of  the  atiack.  In  the  squa<lron,  tKrec  were 
killed  and  eleven  wounded;  amonf^  the  first  midshipmen 
Thompson  and  Hatfield,  both  much  regretted. 

The  loss  on  the  American  side  was  inconsiderable  un- 
til the  explosion  of  the  infernal  machine,  which  caused  it 
to  aiuount  to  tiuee  hundred  in  killed  and  wounded.  Se- 
veral officers  of  merit  were  killed  or  wounded  by  the  ex- 
plosion. Mhe  aids  of  the  general,  captains  Nicholsoh 
and  Frazier,  were  wounded;  the  first  proved  instantly 
mortal:  also,  captain  Lyon,  captain  Hoppock,  lieutenant 
I'loomfield,  and  many  other  valuable  officers.  Much 
praise  was  besto'ved  on  lieutenant  colonel  Mitchell,  of 
(lie  t' 'rd  regiment  of  artillery,  who  formed  the  column 
after  the  explosion,  and  throughout  the  whole  of  the  af- 
fair particularly  distinguished  himself.  Major  Eustice, 
<  aptains  Scott,  Young,  Walworth,  M'Glassin,  and  Ste- 
phen H.  Moore,  of  the  Baltimore  volunteers,  who  lost  a 
leg  by  the  explosion;  lieutenants  Irvine,  Fanning  and 
Riddle,  were  named  among  the  most  distinguished  of  the 
day. 

There  Were  taken  from  the  British,  one  lieutenant- 
rolonel,  one  major,  thirteen  captains,  nine  lieutenants, 
eleven  ensigns,  one  deputy-ad iutant-general,  and  four 
naval  officers,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty-one  non-con. 
missioned  officers  and  privates.  But  it  was  contended, 
that,  according  to  the  capitulation,  the  commanding  gene- 
ral, bis  staff,  and  all  his  regulars,  ought  to  have  been  sur- 
lendered.  There  was  certainly  an  unfair  procedure  on 
the  part  of  the  British  general,  as  well  in  this  business, 
as  in  the  destruction  of  the  publick  property,  af^er  it  had 
been  fairly  surrendered.     With  respect  to  the  explosion, 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


125 


it  was  attribiitetl  by  p;enoral  SlioaRe  to  accident;  and  as 
a  proof,  he  intMitionod  the  circumstance  of  forty  of  \\\^ 
own  men  havinj;  been  killed  and  wounded  on  the  retreat. 
But  the  American  oflicers,  who  witnessed  the  aft'air,  w  ere 
jH'ifectly  satisfied  that  it  was  designed.  After  the  con- 
jlict  liad  entirely  ceased  for  some  time,  and  the  maga- 
zine and  barracks  entirely  abandoned  by  tlie  enemy,  the 
American  column  at  rest  within  three  hundred  yaids,  the 
(ttvurrence  of  such  an  accident  is  almost  impossible,  and 
leads  to  a  conviction,  that  a  match  had  been  purposely 
laid,  intended  to  explode  on  the  approach  of  the  Ameri- 
can column;  which,  but  for  the  fortunate  precaution  of 
their  commander,  would  have  involved  them  in  one  gene- 
ral destruction.  In  further  proof,  we  may  adduce  tlie 
fact,  of  an  immense  number  of  stones  and  a  quantity  of 
old  iron,  evidently  collected  for  the  express  purpose  of 
causing  greater  havock.  It  is  certainly  unjust,  on  light 
grounds,  to  impute  to  the  British  general,  acts  so  dishon- 
ourable; and  but  for  this  last  circumstance  it  might  be  re- 
garded as  the  unauthorised  act  of  some  base  individual. 
The  circumstance  of  a  part  of  his  own  column  having 
been  overtaken  by  the  stones  propelled  to  an  immense 
distance,  has  no  weight  in  his  exculpation:  this  may  have 
proceeded  from  not  having  calculated  with  sufficient  ac- 
curacy for  their  own  safety,  although  nothing  could  have 
been  better  timed  for  the  complete  destruction  of  our  gal- 
lant countrymen.  Had  the  explosion  taken  place  in  the 
midst  of  the  fight,  there  might  then  be  room  for  supposi- 
tion that  it  was  the  result  of  accident;  but,  under  the 
circumstances,  that  this  should  have  been  the  case,  ap- 
pears next  to  impossible.  The  loss  of  the  British,  amount- 
ed to  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  in  killed,  vvounde«l 
and  prisoners;  of  these  the  killed  and  wounded  were  not 
short  of  two  hundred;  the  prisoners  amounted  to  fifty  re- 
gulars, and  five  hundred  militia.  Property  to  an  im- 
mense amount  was  destroyed,  and  there  still  remained  to 
the  value  of  at  least  half  a  million  of  dollars:  in  his  hasty 
retreat,  general  Sheaffe  abandoned  his  baggage,  contain- 
inw  all  his  books  and  papers,  whicli  proved  a  valuable  ac- 
quisition. Upon  the  whole,  the  capture  of  York  was  a 
hrilliant  achievement,  and  worthy  or  Pike,  its  projectoi-, 
11* 


if  . 


i^'  i 


■'■    "T'l 


,'.   M 


!(!■ 


ill 


t       I' 


Mi 

1!  ^'^ 


.  A*?i4i^*.^«^, 


126 


IHSTORY  OK   rilK  WAR. 


It,  was  the  first  dawn  of  that  military  cllstiiiction,  to 
which  we  afterwards-  so  rapidly  attained  under  the  j^al- 
lant  oflicers,  whom  the  test  of  experience  made  known. 

The  object  of  this  expedition  being  now  fully  attained, 
the  American  forces  evacuated  York  on  the  first  of  May, 
and  embarke<l.  The  tleet,  however,  did  not  leave  the 
harbour  until  the  eidith.  A  scliooner  had  in  the  mean 
time  been  despatchetl  to  Niagara,  to  inform  general  Lewis 
of  the  success  of  the  expedition,  and  oi'  the  intendod 
movement  of  the  troops. 

The  next  thing  to  be  undertaken,  was  the  attack  of 
fort  George  and  fort  Erie,  which  had  been  unsuccessfully 
attempte<l  the  year  before.  Commodore  ('hauncey  hav- 
ing the  command  of  the  lake,  troops  could  be  transported 
<o  any  ])art  with  facility.  On  the  evening  of  the  eighth, 
the  troops  were  landed  at  Four  Mile  Creek,  so  called, 
from  being  four  miles  distant  from  Niagara.  'I'he  next 
day,  two  schooners,  under  the  command  of  lieutenant 
Pettigrew,  sailed  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  mei?, 
commanded  by  captain  Morgan  of  the  twelfth,  for  the  pur* 
pose  of  destroying  some  of  the  enemy's  stores  at  the  head 
of  the  lake.  On  their  approach,  the  guard,  about  eiglily 
men,  retired;  the  publick  buildings  were  burnt,  and  the 
party  returned  with  the  greater  part  of  the  property.  Ou 
the  tenth,  commodore  Chauncey  sailed  to  Sackett's  Har- 
bour, for  the  purpose  of  leaving  t'p  wounded  men  and 
oflicers,  and  of  bringing  such  additional  force  as  could  be 
spared  from  that  place.  He  again  sailed  on  the  twenty- 
second,  leaving  tne  Pert  and  the  Fair  American  to  watch 
ihe  movements  of  the  enemy.  Two  days  afterwards  ho 
arrived  safely  at  Niagara,  with  colonel  M'Comb's  regi- 
ment of  artillery,  three  hundred  and  lifty  men,  and  an 
additional  number  of  guns. 

Arrangements  were  now  'iiade  for  carrying  the  con- 
templated enterprise  into  immediate  operation.  Com- 
modore Chauncey  having,  on  the  twenty-sixth,  rec onnoi- 
rred  the  opposite  shore,  and  ascertained  the  best  placciy 
for  landing,  and  the  stations  for  the  smaller  vessels  to 
occupy;  the  next  morning  was  fixed  upon  for  the  attack. 
A  number  of  boats  were  made  ready;  and  others,  which 
had  been  building  fox  the  occasion,  were  launched  in  the 


after 
open 

])IM'p< 

?i<)nai 
some 
advar 


manded  l 
the  Bait 
M'Clure. 
advance  I 
the  head  ( 
lowed  by 
'Suddenly 


uction,  to 
r  the  gal- 
known. 
f  attained, 
st  of  May, 
leave  the 
the  mean 
eral  Lewis 
;  intentled 

J  attack  of 
uccesst'ully 
uncey  hav- 
transported 
the  eislitli, 
,  so  ciuled, 
The  next 
f  lieutenant 
intliecl  mei.', 
for  the  pur- 
at  the  head 
.bout  eiji^hty 
nt,  and  the 
loperty.   On 
ckett's  Har. 
cl  men  and 
as  could  be 
Ithe  twenty- 
lan  to  watch 
erwards  ho 
1 0  nib's  re!j;i- 
lien,  and  an 


the  con- 
ion.  Com- 
1,  retonnoi- 
best  place* 
•  vessels  to 
the  attack, 
lers,  which 
ched  in  the 


HISTORY  OK  Tilt!:  WAK. 


afternoon;  this  hein*.';  observed  by  the  erjemy,  a  fire  was 
opened  upon  the  workmen,  from  a  batt«My  erected  for  the 
purpose  nearly  opposite.  Fliis  br()iijL!;ht  on  a  severe  can- 
nonade from  the  foits  and  batteries,  which  continued  for 
some  hours,  and  in  which  the  Americans  had  the  decided 
advanta<i;e.  Fort  (ieor^e  appeared  to  snIVer  considerable 
injury;  the  j^uns  of  the  American  battery  were  directed 
wltli  so  much  precision,  that  the  halyanls  of  the  flaui-statt* 
wore  shot  away.  Tlie  buihlinjrs  of  every  description  anumd 
ihe  fort  were  much  dama'j;e(l,  while  the  loss  on  the  Ame- 
•  ican  side  was  very  inconsiderable.  All  the  boats  in  the 
inea?iwhile  passed  safely  to  the  encampment  at  Four  Mile 
Creek:  an<l  as  soon  as  it  j^rcw  dark,  the  artillery  was  put 
on  board  the  Madison,  the  Oneida,  and  Lady  of  the  liaKe; 
the  troops  were  to  embark  in  the  boats  and  follow  the 
fleet.  At  three  o'clock  in  the  morninj!;,  si<i;nal  was  made 
to  weij^h;  but  in  consequence  of  the  calm  vhich  prevail- 
ed, the  schooners  were  oblij^ed  to  resort  to  their  sweeps 
to  gain  their  stations.  These  consisted  of  the  Julia, 
(Jrowler,  Ontario,  Governour  Tompkins,  Conquest,  Ham- 
ilton, Asp,  and  Scouri^e;  each  witliin  musket  shot  of  the 
sliore,  and  skilfully  disposed  to  attack  the  dift'cent  bat- 
teries, and  cover  the  landinjj;  of  the  troops.  At  day-break 
generals  Dearborn  and  Lewis,  and  suits,  went  on  board 
the  Madison;  the  troops  being  now  all  embarked,  amount- 
ed to  about  four  thousand  men.  The  enemy's  batteries 
immediately  opened,  as  the  troops  advanced  in  three  bri- 
gades. The  advance  was  led  by  that  accomplished  ofli- 
cer  colonel  Scott,  who  had  so  much  signalized  himself  in 
this  place  tiie  year  before;  and  was  composed  of  For- 
sythe's  riflemen,  and  detachments  from  various  infantry 
regiments:  it  landed  near  the  fort,  which  had  in  the  mean- 
time been  silenced  by  the  Governour  Tompkins.  Gene- 
ral Boyd,  to  whom  was  assigned  the  brigade  lately  com- 
manded by  general  Pike,  formed  the  first  line,  flanked  by 
the  Baltimore  and  Albany  volunteers  under  colonel 
M'Clure.  He  reached  the  shore  immediately  after  tlie 
advance  had  landed.  General  Winder  followed  next,  at 
the  head  of  the  second  brigade,  and  was  immetliately  fol- 
lowed by  the  third,  under  general  Chandler.  The  wind 
suddenly  springing  up  from  the  east,  and  producing  a 


m 


■'■m 


i-i 


! 


\t 


.    !>' 


*^J%^*>*ibsi^-' 


128 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


considerable  swell,  the  troops  from  the  Madison  and 
Oneida,  could  not  reach  shore  until  the  second  and  third 
brija;ades  had  advanced;  M'Comb's  regiment,  and  the  ma- 
rines under  captain  Smith,  therefore,  did  not  reach  shore 
until  the  debarkation  had  been  completed. 

The  advance  under  Scott,  consisting  of  five  hundred 
men,  on  its  approach  to  the  shore,  had  been  exposed  to  an 
incessant  volley  of  musketry,  from  at  least  twelve  hun- 
dred regulars,  stationed  in  a  ravine.  This  spirited  corps, 
composed  of  the  flower  of  the  army,  moved  on  Avithout 
faultering,  and  for  a  few  minutes  returning  the  fire.  As 
they  drew  near  the  shore,  a  surprising  degree  of  emula- 
tion manifested  iiself  both  amongst  officers  and  soldiers; 
many  of  them  leaping  into  the  lake,  and  wading  to  land. 
Captain  Hindman,  an  accomplished  young  officer  of  the 
second  artillery,  was  the  first  on  the  enemy^s  territory. 
No  sooner  were  the  troops  formed  on  the  beach,  than  tlicy 
were  led  to  the  charge,  and  instantly  dispersed  tlie  ene- 
my in  every  direction,  some  flying  to  the  woods  for  shel- 
ter, and  otiiers  seeking  refuge  in  the  fort.  The  first  were 
briskly  assailed  by  Forsythe,  while  the  advanced  corps 
and  the  first  brigade,  under  general  Boyd,  vigorouslv  at- 
tacked the  latter.  The  prevailing  panick  haa  seized  the 
garrison,  which  made  but  a  feeble  resistance.  Fort  Nia- 
gara, and  the  batteries  on  the  American  side,  opened  at 
the  same  time;  and  fort  George,  now  beino-  untenable,  the 
British  laid  trains  to  their  magazines,  and  retreated  with 
precipitation,  having  abandoned  all  the  works,  and  pur- 
suing different  routs.  Colonel  Scott  and  his  light  troops 
were  closely  in  their  rear,  when  he  was  recalled  by  gene* 
ral  Boyd.  Lieutenant  Riddle,  with  his  party,  not  re- 
ceiving the  order,  followed  the  enemy  almost  to  Queens- 
town,  and  picked  up  a  nuniber  of  stragglers.  The  light 
troops  took  possession  of  fort  George;  captains  Hindman 
and  Stockton  entering  first,  and  extinguishing  the  fire  in- 
tended to  explode  the  magazine;  the  former  withdrew  a 
match  at  the  imminent  hazard  of  his  life.  General  Boyd 
and  colonel  Scott  mounted  the  parapet  for  the  purpose  of 
cutting  away  the  statt';  but  Hindman  succeeded  in  tak- 
ing the  flag,  which  he  forwarded  to  general  Dearborn, 
and   which  was  immediately  replaced  by  the  American 


ensig 
At  t\ 
on  tl 
The 
short 
troopi 
much 
fish  ii 
lasted 
and  e 
who  f 
and  fil 
The  1( 
one  hu 
tenant 
major 
the  sis 
third, 
heights 
captain 
tenant 
the  Bri 
der,  col 
action, 
with  in 
brigade 
ter'the 
as  to  re 
ous.     C 
weigh;  ; 
place  of 
Higli 
eral  Dei 
mands. 
the  conn 
indebted 
to  major 
to  captai 
molishinj 
the  fir^t 
maudant 


h¥^.f-> 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ensign,  while  the  troops  were  ordered  in  and  quartered. 
At  twelve  o'clock  the  whole  of  tlie  Uriiish  fortifications 
on  this  shore  were  in  possession  of  the  Americans. — 
The  enemy  had  moved  off  with  such  rapidity,  that  in  a 
short  time  nothing  more  of  them  was  to  be  seen;  and  our 
troops,  having  been  eleven  hours  under  arms,  were  too 
mucli  fatigued  to  pursue  them  far.  The  loss  of  the  Bri- 
tish ill  this  affair,  considering  the  time  which  the  contest! 
lasted,  was  very  considerable.  They  had  one  hundred 
and  eight  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  wounded, 
who  fell  into  our  hands;  they  besides  lost  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  regulars,  and  five  hundred  militia,  prisoners. 
The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  thirty-nine  killed,  and 
one  hundred  and  eight  wounded;  among  the  former,  lieu- 
tenant Hobart  of  the  light  artillery;  and  of  the  latter, 
major  King  of  the  thirteenth,  captains  Arrowsworth  of 
the  sixth.  Steel  of  the  sixteenth.  Roach  of  the  twenty- 
third,  (wlio  had  been  wounded  the  year  before  at  the 
heights  of  Queenstown,  and  was  nromoled  to  the  rank  of 
captain  for  his  good  conduct  on  tliat  occasion,)  and  lieu- 
tenant Swearingen  of  the  ritle  corps.  The  forty-ninth, 
the  British  invincibles,  was  in  this  affair,  and  its  comman- 
der, colonel  Myers,  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  Th« 
action,  notwithstanding,  was  fought  on  the  American  side 
with  inferiour  numbers,  the  advance  and  part  of  Boyd's 
brigade  only  having  been  actually  cngageu.  Shortly  af- 
ter the  surrender  of  the  fort,  the  lake  became  so  rough 
as  to  render  the  situation  of  tlie  fleet  somewhat  danger- 
ous. Commodore  Chauncey,  therefore,  made  signal  to 
weigh;  and  accordingly  stood  up  the  river,  choosing  a 
place  of  safety  between  the  two  forts,  he  there  anchored. 
High  praise  was  given  both  by  the  commodore  and  gen- 
eral Dearborn,  to  the  forces  under  their  respective  com- 
mands. Scott  and  Bovd  were  particularly  mentioned; 
the  commander-in-chief  also  acknowledged  himself  much 
indebted  to  colonel  M.  Porter,  of  the  light  artUlery,  and 
to  major  Armistead,  of  the  third  regiment  artillery,  and 
to  captain  Totten  of  the  engineers,  for  their  skill  in  de- 
molishing the  enemy's  forts  and  batteries.  We  here  find 
the  fir^t  mention  of  the  hero  of  lake  Erie,  lieutenant  com- 
mandant Oliver  H.  Perrv,  who  had  volunteered  his  ser ' 


> »(''  ''  H  m 


'U:  .  \ 


■'.  1 

M  iip 


..•(?<^i4iihf'<iV«'>,  «kii,i«(.„/ 


130 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


vicc3  on  the  night  of  the  twenty-sixth,  and  hail  rentleretl 
2,reat  services  in  assistinjj  in  the  arran<j;ement  and  de- 
barkation of  the  troops.  Much  of  the  success  of  the  en- 
terprise was  owiu^-  to  the  judicious  plan  of  commodore 
Chauncey,  in  attac1kin<5  the  ditterent  batteries  of  tlie  ene- 
my with  his  vess^ds,  and  rendering  them  untenable.  Gen- 
eral Dearborn  iui<l  been  much  indisposed;  he  continued 
to  command  regularly,  issuing;  his  orders  from  his  bed. 
Lieutenant  Perry  was  despatched  the  day  after  to  Black 
Rock,  with  fifty  men,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  five  ves- 
sels to  Erie  as  soon  as  possible,  to  aid  in  forming  the 
scjuadron  preparing  at  that  place,  and  which  it  was  ex- 
pected would  be  ready  by  the  fifteenth  of  June,  to  com- 
mence operations  in  conjunction  with  Harrison. 

A  few  days  afterwitrds,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  ene- 
my under  general  Vincent  had  retired  to  the  Beaver 
Dams,  where  he  formed  a  junction  with  tlie  command  of 
lit  uionant  colonel  BLshop  from  fort  Erie  and  Chippewa. 
Ti  e  (lay  alter  tins  v»'as  eflected,  the  British  general  re- 
tn  a(ed  hastily  to  the  upper  end  of  lake  Ontario,  and  took 
a  position  on  ilic  heights  at  the  head  of  Burlington  Bay^ 
hio  force  it  wa  >  supposed  did  not  exceed  a  thousand  men. 
General  VVindei-,  at  his  request,  was  detached  by  the 
conMuander-in-chief,  in  pursuit,  with  his  brigade.  Hav- 
ing reached  Twenty  Mile  Creek,  on  the  second  day's 
march,  the  <reneral  seceived  iiiformation,  that  the  enemy 
had  been  reniforced  by  several  hundred  men  from  King- 
ston; that  his  force,  besides  fndians,  and  a  few  militia, 
might  amount  to  fifteen  hundred  men:  the  general,  in 
consetjuence,  th(»ug!it  it  prudent  to  despatch  an  officer  to 
general  Dearborn  for  an  additicmal  force,  that  under  his 
command  not  exceeding  twelve  hundred  infantry,  exclu- 
sive of  the  dragoons  under  colonel  B''rns,  and  Towson's 
artillery.  He  nevertheless  continued  his  march  to  Forty 
Mile  Creek,  where  selecting  a  good  position,  he  proposed 
to  wait  the  arrival  of  the  expected  reinforcement.  Tliis, 
consisting  of  Chandler's  brigade,  in  a  short  time  arrived, 
after  a  rapid  march,  and  general  Chandler  being  the  senior 
oRicer,  assumed  the  command. 

On  the  same  day,  the  united  force  proceeded  to  a  rivu- 
let called  Stoney  Creek,  where  tlicy  encamped,  having  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  AVAR. 


ISl 


tlio  course  of  the  afternoon  skirmisliorl  with  the  advance 
parties  of  tlie  enemy,  wliich  were  driven  in.  In  oider  to 
secure  the  baj^ji,age  of  tlie  arm v,  ^^  liicli  had  been  convoyed 
ill  batteaux  alonj^  the  lake  shore,  colonels  Christie  and 
JJccrstler,  with  their  respective  re;:;iments,  the  thirteenth 
and  fourteenth,  were  detached,  to  take  a  position  at  tlie 
distance  of  two  miles  from  the  main  body,  on  the  neck  of 
land  which  divides  the  lake  from  Burlingto;i  Bay,  and 
on  the  road  from  fort  George  to  Yoik  and  Kinp,ston. 
The  distance  of  the  main  body  of  the  British  was  about 
eight  miles. 

The  ffround  occupied  by  general  Chandler,  was  tlie 
hi,!!;h  baiik  of  Stoney  Creek,  on  the  opposite  side  of  which 
there  w.as  a  small  meadowy  and  the  bank  was  much  lower. 
He  halted  immediately  on  the  road,  as  the  centre  of  his 
encampment.  The  fifth,  a  small  detachment  of  the  twen- 
ty-third, one  company  of  the  sixteenth  infantry,  occupied 
a  height  a  short  distance  on  the  lef^.  The  object  of  this 
was  to  prevent,  in  case  of  a  night  attack,  the  occupation 
of  ground  which  commanded  the  road;  and  at  the  same 
lime,  they  could  with  facility  be  wheeled  intolifie  witli 
the  twenty-fifth  along  the  high  bank  of  the  creek.  'J'he 
Ih^hi  artillery  of  captains  Towson  and  Leonard,  was  post- 
ed in  the  road  immediately  on  the  riglit  of  the  last  men- 
tioned regiment,  so  as  to  command  the  road  in  the  diiec- 
tion  of  the  enemy.  The  cavalry  under  colonel  Burns, 
was  placed  in  the  rear,  to  be  ready  at  a  moment's  warn- 
ing. A  guard  of  eighty  or  an  hundred  men,  was  posted 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  advance^  at  a  wooden  chapel  on 
the  road  side.  In  other  respects  the  usual  precautions 
were  taken. 

The  situation  of  the  British  army  was  almost  hopeless. 
To  contend  openly  with  the  superiour  force  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, was  out  of  the  question.  No  possibility  of  escape 
remained  but  by  marching  through  the  thinly  inhabited 
country  towards  Detroit;  and  joining  general  Proctor; 
or  attempting  the  fortune  of  a  night  attack.  The  first, 
in  their  present  deficiency  of  supplies,  was  considered 
almost  impracticable;  the  latter  was,  th.erefore,  resolved 
upon.  The  existence  of  this  alternative  con  id  not  ba^e 
escaped  tlie  penetration  of  the  American  gcneiuls,  and 


•;'  i,:  h 


■,i  '■  ■, 


M^ 


^KSfei 


>i^-j3««>''fic 


132 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


therefore  the  necessity  of  the  utmost  precaution.  To  the 
ultimate  character  of  the  campaign,  the  capture  of  the 
British  would  be  of  the  greatest  importance;  as  the  ne- 
cessary consequence,  tlie  contest  to  the  westward  would 
terminate,  for  it  would  iio  longer  be  possible  for  Proctor 
to  hold  out  after  his  communication  with  the  lower  pro- 
vinces had  been  cut  off. 

Until  late  in  the  evening,  the  twenty-fifth  had  occupied 
the  meadow  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek, 
where  they  had  kindled  fires  for  the  purpose  of  cooking, 
but  towards  midnight  were  withdrawn  to  the  position  as- 
signed tliem  on  the  brow  of  the  high  bank.     These  pre- 
cautions had  well  nigh  proved  fruitless,  from  the  unac- 
countable negligence  and  misconduct  of  the  main  guard. 
Several  of  the  sentinels  in  advance,  were  silently  bayonet- 
ed by  the  enemy,  who  pushed  a  column  of  seven  or  eight 
hundred  men,  passed  the  chapel  whilst  the  guard  must 
have  been  buried  in  sleep,  since  not  a  shot  was  fired  by 
them.     On  apnroaching  the  tires  made  by  the  twenty-fifth, 
and  whicii  had  not  yet  been  extinguished,  they  raised  a 
tremendous  Indian  yell,  expecting  no  doubt  to  bayonet 
the  Americans,  whom  they  supposed  to  be  asleep  a  few 
paces  from  them.     This  yell  was  most  fortunate  for  the 
Americans,  who  were  instantly  roused  on  the  opposite 
bank,  and  as  the  twenty-fifth  had  lain  on  their  arms,  they 
instantly  commenced  a  h^avy  fire  on  the  British,  who 
v.ere   revealed  by   the  fires  which   had  deluded  them. 
General  Wiju'.er,  who  commanded  the  troops  on  the  left 
©f  the  road,  succeeded  in  a  few  moments  in  stationing  the 
greater  part  of  them  on  the  edge  of  the  creek,  to  the  left 
of  the  artillery,  and  joined  his  fire  with  that  of  the  twen- 
ty-fifth, which  was  by  this  time  returned  by  the  enemy, 
though  with  little  eft'ect.     In  twenty  minutes  the  firing 
on  tue  part  of  tiie  British  ceased,  and  as  they  had   be- 
come invisible  after  passing  the  fires,  the  night  being  ex- 
cessively dark,  it  was  uncertain  whether  they  had  retir- 
ed, Oi  meant  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  to  attack  with 
the  bayonet;  tlie  firing  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  was 
also  ordered  to  cease.    Arrangements  were  rapidly  made 
to  receive  them.     At  this  moment  some  shots  in  the  rear 
of  the  army  induced  the  general,  who  v/as  apprehensive 


pieces. 

m  the  m 

Gener 

dispositi 

which  ha 

back,  an 

discoveri 

ascertain 

in|to  tu 

artillerist 

drove  the 

witli  prec 

the  enem^ 

view  of  th 

thrown  fn 

til  the  eve 

gallant  efl' 

to  recover 

vented  the 

nev  anothe 

nel  Milton 

aid,  were  . 

The  Am 

wounded, 

and  ninety 

much  more 

prisoners  w 

Chandler, 


To  the 
re  of  the 
ls  the  ne- 
rd would 
r  Proctor 
)wer  pro- 
occupied 
he  creek, 
f  cooking, 
osition  iis- 
.'hese  pre- 
the  unac- 
ain  guard, 
y  bayonet - 
in  or  eight 
iiard  must 
as  fired  by 
ventv-iifth, 
ly  raised  a 
to  bayonet 
deep  a  tew 
ate  for  the 
e  opposite 
arms,  they 
Iritish,  who 
ded  them, 
on  the  left 
Itioning  the 
to  the  left 
the  twen- 
he  enemy, 
the  firing 
y  bad  be- 
lt being  ex- 
had  retir- 
Ittack  with 
leans,  was 
jidly  made 
[in  the  rear 
rehensive 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


133 


that  an  attack  might  also  be  made  in  that  quarter,  to  or- 
der one  of  the  regiments  to  face  about,  and  take  such  a 
position,  as  would  enable  him  to  repel  it,  whether  made 
on  flank  or  rear.  Whilst  general  Chandler  was  directing 
these  movements  on  the  right,  his  horse  fell  under  him; 
after  recovering  somewhat  Irom  the  fall,  which  had  stun- 
ned him,  he  attempted  to  walk  towards  the  centre,  near 
the  artillery,  where  he  and  general  Winder  had  met  from 
time  to  time,  to  receive  and  communicate  information 
And  orders.  In  the  meantime,  favoured  by  the  excessive 
darkness,  which  had  been  increased  by  the  smoke,  the 
enemy  stole  along  the  road  unperceived,  until  they  .sin- 
gled with  the  artillerists,  whom  they  drove  from  their 
pieces.  At  this  moment  general  Chandler  found  himself 
m  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  and  was  taken  prisoner. 

General  Winder,  in  returning  from  maintaining  the 
dispositions  on  the  left,  met  with  a  part  of  the  sixteenth, 
which  had  either  never  reached  its  position,  or  had  fallen 
back,  and  was  posting  it  to  protect  the  artillery,  when, 
discovering  some  confusion  there,  he  rushed  forward  to 
ascertain  the  cause,  and  was  made  prisoner  in  attempt- 
ing to  turn  back  what  he  supposed  to  be  the  American 
artillerists.  The  British  finding  two  pieces  limbered, 
drove  them  off,  overturned  one  or  two  more,  and  retreated 
with  precipitation  and  disorder.  Before  clear  day-light 
the  enemy  had,  in  his  retreat,  covered  himself  from  the 
view  of  tlie  Americans  by  a  wood.  General  Vincent  was 
thrown  from  his  horse,  and  did  not  rejoin  his  troops  un- 
til the  evening,  almost  exhausted  with  fatigue.  Several 
gallant  efforts  were  made,  after  the  flight  of  the  enemy, 
to  recover  the  artilleij.  Lieutenant  W.  iWDonoutjh  pre- 
vented the  capture  of  one  piece,  and  lieutenant  IVrClies- 
ney  another;  these  officers,  as  well  as  colonel  Burns,  colo- 
nel Milton,  captains  Hindman,  Arclier,  Steel  and  Leon- 
ard, were  highly  complimented  in  general  orders. 

The  American  loss  was  sixteen  killed,  and  thirty-eight 
wounded,  and  two  brigadiers,  one  major,  three  captains, 
and  ninety-four  missin;^.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was 
much  more  severe,  particularly  in  officers;  one  hundred 
prisoners  were  taken.  Blame  was  attached  to  general 
Chandler,  who  commanded,  but  with  very  little  reason; 

12 


>;>■' 


41 


11: 'kr 

u 


*  ^ 


Miv 


??*^.1«fe-'J^«;5fai*'.«  -i^ : 


154 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^till  less  of  «ieneral  Winder,  who  only  met  with  such  mis- 
fortune as  the  bravest  and  most  prudent  are  subject  to. 
Had  the  enemy  been  immediately  pursued,  there  is  little 
doubt  they  would  have  fallen  into  our  hands.  Colonel 
Burns,  on  a  consultation  with  the  oflicers,  judged  it  most 
prudent  to  fall  back  on  Forty  Mile  Creek,  where  he  was 
joined  by  colonel  Miller's  regiment,  who  had  been  sent 
-to  guarif  the  boats,  and  g;enerals  Lewis  and  Boyd,  the 
former  now  assuming  the  command. 

The  British  claimed  in  this  aflair  a  splendid  victoix 
The  accidental  capture  of  the  American  generals  would 
seem  to  give  it  the  appearance  of  one;  but  in  the  action 
they  were  certainly  beaten  with  great  loss.  Their  object, 
however,  was  effected  by  the  attack,  though  not  to  the 
extent  which  they  had  anticipated.  The  credit  of  t'ns 
affair  has  been  justly  given  to  colonel  Harvey,  who  is  said 
to  be  an  elegant  and  accomplished  officer. 

A  fla^  having  been  se  •  into  camp  to  obtain  informa- 
tion of  the  killed  and  wounded,  as  also  permission  to  bury 
the  dead,  but  merely  to  obtain  information,  general  Vin- 
cent immediately  despatched  a  messenger  to  sir  James 
Yoe,  advising  him  of  the  position  of  the  Americans.  On 
the  eighth  sir  James,  with  his  squadron,  appeared  abreast 
of  the  encampment,  and  within  a  mile  of  the  shoie.  He 
attempted  to  destroy  the  boats,  and  warped  in  a  large 
schooner  for  the  purpose;  but  captains  Archer  and  Tow 
son,  in  thirty  minutes,  constructed  a  furnace,  and  opened 
a  fire  with  hot  shot,  which  compelled  him  to  haul  off.  A 
party  of  Indians  now  appeared  upon  the  brow  of  the 
mountain,  but  where  soon  dislodged  by  lieutenant  Eldrid^e, 
who  gained  the  summit  with  a  few  volunteers,  before  tlie 
detachment  which  was  ordered  for  the  purpose.  Sir 
James  now  demanded  a  surrender,  with  the  usual  story 
of  Indians  in  the  rear,  a  fleet  in  front,  and  regulars  ap- 
proaching. This  artifice  had  grown  stale,  and"  could  be 
played  off  no  longer.  Orders  were  now  received  from 
general  Dearborn,  for  the  army  to  return  to  fort  George; 
the  greater  part  of  the  camp  e(}uipage  and  baggage  were 
put  in  boats,  but  were  intercepted  by  an  armed  schooner, 
And  twelve  of  them  taken.  The  army  broke  up  its  en- 
campnitnt  about  ten  o'clock,  and  took  up  its  march  lor 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


135 


fort  Geori.»:c,  harrassed  nearly  the  whole  way  by  Indians, 
who  hung  lipon  its  Hanks. 

'I'lie  movement  oj"  general  Dearborn  against  the  Brit- 
ish fortifications  on  the  Niagara,  ha<l  well  nigh  cost  him 
doar.  The  British  having  obtiined  information  of  it,  re- 
solved to  seize  the  opportunity  of  the  absence  of  our 
troops  and  ileet,  to  attact  Sackett's  Harbour.  They  well 
knew  tlie  importance  to  us  of  this  place.  It  was  the  de- 
posito  of  all  our  naval  and  military  stores,  both  those  cap- 
tured at  ^  ork,  and  those  winch  had  been  collecting  for  a 
year,  with  a  view  to  the  operations  against  Canada.  The 
convenience  of  this  spot  had  caused  it  to  be  selected  as 
the  place  to  fit  out  the  navies  of  the  lake,  and  great  quan- 
tities of  timber  and  other  materials  were  here  collected 
far  the  construction  of  vessels.  The  new  ship,  the  Gen- 
eral [-ike,  was  on  the  stocks,  nearly  ready  to  be  launch- 
ed, and  the  prize,  the  Gloucester,  lay  in  the  harbour.  No 
time  was  to  be  lost  in  carrying  into  eftiect  this  important 
enterprise.  Sir  George  Prevost  selected  a  thousand 
picked  men,  and  embarked  them  on  board  the  fleet  under 
commodore  James  Yeo.  Scarcely  had  commodore  Chaun- 
cey  arrived  at  Niagara,  when  sir  James  shewed  himself 
oii'  the  harbour,  with  the  Wolf,  the  Royal  George,  the 
Prince  Regent,  Earl  of  Moira,  and  some  smaller  vessels. 
The  small  vessels  under  lieutenant  Cliauncey,  left  to 
give  notice  of  the  enemy's  approach,  espied  the  squad- 
ron, on  the  twenty-seventh,  and  hastened  to  the  harbour, 
firing  guns  of  alarm.  This  was  immediately  followed  by 
tlie  alarm  guns  on  the  shore,  to  bring  in  the  militia,  and 
to  give  notice  to  such  regulars  as  might  be  near  encv.g!i 
to  near  them.  Lieutenant  colonel  Backus,  of  the  dra- 
goons, had  been  left  in  command  of  the  place; ! 'it  in  case 
of  attack,  general  Brown,  then  at  his  residence  eight 
miles  off,  WrTs  requested  to  take  the  command,  although 
his  brigade  of  militia  had  retired  to  their  homes,  their 
term  of  service  having  expired.  The  whole  regular  force 
consisted  of  a  few  seamen,  lieutenant  Fanning's  artillery, 
about  two  hundred  invalids,  not  exceeding  in  the  whole 
five  hundred  men,  and  colonel  Mills,  with  the  Albany 
volunteers  and  some  militia,  amounting  to  about  five 
hundred  more.    On  the  twenty- eighth,  the  enemy  was 


■  i  ■ 


ts^  ■ 


I 


...  .'I' 


^( 


'3fec.SijM'-:sti«v^,i 


136 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


seen  af  the  distance  of  about  five  miles,  and  seemed  to 
be  standing  for  the  harbour,  when  a  fleet  of  American 
barges  was  discovered  coming  round  North  Point,  with 
troops  from  Oswego.  Their  attention  v;as  now  occupied 
by  these,  aud  tliey  succeeded  in  cutting  off  twelve  of 
them;  and  taking  it  for  granted  that  there  weie  many 
more,  they  stood  off  all  this  day,  with  a  view  ot  inter- 
cepting them,  fn  tJie  meanwhile  general  Brown  was 
diligently  occupied,  in  making  arrangements  for  the  dc- 
■f(^nc!i  of  the  place,  in  which  he  discovered  muci»  judg- 
ment, liut  a  small  part  of  the  ground  adjacent  to  the 
village  was  cleaied,  the  rest  being  surrounded  by  woods. 
At  tlie  only  point  of  landing,  a  battery  and  breast-work 
were  hastily  constructed,  and  the  militia  placed  behind 
them  ready  to  receive  tlie  enemy  as  he  landed,  and  to 
open  a  iire  upon  h'm  in  conjunction  with  the  artillery. 
The  regular  troops,  and  the  light  artillery,  were  station- 
tul  in  a  second  line  nearer  the  barracks  and  publick 
)>nil(lings.  On  the  approach  of  the  enemy's  boats,  which 
were  commanded  by  sir  George  Prerost  in  person,  a 
well  directed  lire,  which  was  opened  upon  them,  compel- 
led them  to  pause;  several  ollicers  and  men  were  seen  to 
fall.  Encouraged  by  this,  they  were  engaged  in  loading 
a  second  time;  t'le  artillery  would  then  open;  when  sud- 
derdy  some  unaccountiible  panick  seized  ilic  militia,  a 
panick,  to  which  corps  composed  of  the  bravest  men  indi- 
\  idually,  are  liable  on  being  engaged  for  the  first  time; 
ihey  fled  in  confusion,  and  their  officers  in  vain  attempt- 
«*d  to  rally  them;  their  brave  commander,  colonel  Mills, 
in  attempting  to  ellect  it,  was  shot  from  his  horse.  The 
enemy  now  layided  with  little  opposition,  ?j,nd  having 
formed,  ;;dvanced  to  tlie  barracks;  but  were  for  a  moment 
ciiecked  by  a  vigorous  attack  from  a  party  of  infantry, 
inider  major  Aspinwall,  and  the  dismounted  dragoons 
under  major  Lavalle.  These  were  compelled,  by  num- 
oers,  to  retreat.  A  sharp  conflict  now  ensued,  with  the 
regulars  and  artillery,  under  colonel  Backus,  which  retir- 
ed gradually,  taking  possession  of  the  houses  and  bar- 
racks, whence  they  continued  to  annoy  the  enemy.  The 
colonel,  about  this  time,  fell  severely  wounded.  Shortly 
after  the  flight  of  the  militia,  general  Brown  succeeded 


gceniod  to 
American 
*oint,  with 
V  occupied 
twelve  of 
^veie  many 
w  ot  inter- 
.^rown  was 
for  the  de- 
mucii  \ynV^- 
iccnt  to  the 
\  by  woods, 
breast-work 
icetl  behind 
ded,  and  to 
the  artillery, 
vere  station- 
and  publick 
boats,  which 
in  person,  a 
lem,  compel- 
were  seen  to 
;d  in  loading 
,  when  sud- 
\Q  militia,  a 
st  men  indi- 
^  first  time; 
ain  attempt- 
idonel  Mills, 
horse.    The 
find  having 
[or  a  moment 
of  infantry, 
:ed  dragoons 
ed,  by  num- 
sd,  with  the 
i,  which  retir- 
ises  andbar- 
:nemy.    The 
ed.    Shortly 
11  succeeded 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


in  rallying  the  company  of  captain  M'Nitt,  about  ninety 
in  munber;  with  this  he  assailed  the  rear  of  the  British, 
and  in  his  own  words,  "did  some  execution."  Finding 
that  there  was  now  little  hope  of  repelling  the  enemy, 
so  superior  in  force,  and  every  moment  gauiing  ground, 
he  resorted  to  a  ruse  de  guerre.  A  considerable  part  of 
the  militia,  now  asliamed  of  their  panick,  had  collected 
near  the  scene  of  action;  the  general  instantly  formed 
them,  and  marched  them  silently  through  the  woods,  so 
as  to  be  discovered  by  the  enemy.  Sir  George  Prevost, 
believing  that  his  rear  was  about  to  be  cut  oft,  ordered  a 
retreat,  which  became  a  precipitate  flight  to  the  boats, 
leaving  ali  his  wounded  and  a  number  of  prisoners. 

The  resistance  at  the  barracks  had  been  exceedingly 
obstinate;  a  destructive  fire  was  poured  from  the  build- 
ings, while  lieutenant  Fanning,  though  severely  wound- 
ed, still  directed  one  not  less  so  from  his  piece  of  artil- 
lery. Captain  Gray,  a  valuable  British  oflicer  and  an 
accomplished  gentlemen,  vai  shot  by  a  small  boy,  a 
drummer,  who  snatched  up  a  musket  and  fired  at  him,  ad 
he  was  advancing  at  the  head  of  a  column,  to  storm  one 
of  the  barracks.  This  boy,  who  was  an  American,  had 
served  him  in  his  kitchen,  and  on  the  war  breaking  out, 
had  returned  home;  he  now  approached  his  former  mas- 
ter while  in  his  last  agonies,  and  owned  that  he  had  shot 
him.  Captain  Gray  generously  forgave  him,  and  with  a 
nobleness  of  soul,  of  which  we  have  had  but  too  few  ex- 
amples on  the  part  of  Britain  during  the  war,  took  out 
his  watch  and  presented  it  to  him,  witli  these  words,  "my 
brave  little  fellow,  you  have  done  well."  It  is  delightful 
to  read  such  traits  even  in  an  enemy;  whether  the  boy 
deserved  his  encomium  or  his  curse,  is  a  matter  to  be  set- 
tled by  casuists. 

During  the  battle,  a  false  alarm  having  been  communi- 
cated to  lieutenant  Chauncey,  that  our  troops  had  been 
defeated,  he  immediately,  according  to  ortlers  previously 
received,  set  fire  to  the  publick  store-houses;  and  the 
fire  was  not  extinguished  until  considerable  damage  had 
been  done.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  this  affair  was 
one  colonel  of  volunteers,  twenty  regulars  and  one  volun- 
teer killed;  one  lieutenant  colonel,  mree  lieutenants  and 


I,      .W 


'■^i^e>fS4>'i.^tML. 


138 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


one  ensif!;n  of  the  regulars,  and  seventy-nine  men,  com. 
missioned  officers  and  lej^ulars,  wounded;  ami  twenty-six 
missing;  the  loss  of  the  enemy  amounted  to  tliree  tield 
officers,  two  captains,  and  twenty  rank  and  file  foiuul 
dead  upon  the  ground;  two  captains  and  twenty  rank 
and  file  woundecl,  besides  those  killed  and  wounded  in 
the  boats,  and  carried  away  previous  to  the  retreat.  On 
tlic  same  evening  lieutenant  colonel  Little  arrived,  after 
a  forced  march  of  forty  miles,  with  about  six  hundred 
men,  and  reinforcements  were  rapidly  arriving  from  eve» 
ry  quarter. 

Notwithstanding^  this,  a  modest  renuest  of  a  surren. 
der  was  made  by  sir  George  Prevost,  wnich  he  soon  aftep 
as  modestlv  changed  into  a  request  for  permission  to  bu- 
ry the  deau,  and  that  the  wounded  in  our  hands  should 
bo  attended  to;  of  this  he  received  satisfactory  assuran- 
ces. On  his  return  to  Kingston,  he  issued  a  vaunting 
proclamation,  in  which  he  announced  a  splendid  victory^ 
which  no  one  ijelieved.  The  injury  inflicted  on  us  was 
certainly  considerable,  but  fell  far  short  of  the  object  qI 
this  expedition;  and  that  he  was  compelled  precipitately 
to  retreat,  he  could  not  pretend  to  deny.  General  Brown, 
received  and  deserved  applause  for  his  conduct  on  this 
occasion,  which  laid  the  ground  work  of  his  military 
i'elebrity. 

Shortly  after  this  affair,  commodore  Chauncey  return- 
ed with  his  squadron;  general  Lewis  took  command  oi 
Die  place,  and  set  about  repairing  the  buildings  and  pub- 
lick  store  houses.  General  Dearborn,  whose  increas- 
iTig  indisposition  disqualified  him  fcr  an  active  command, 
retired  irom  service,  leaving  colonel  Boyd  in  command 
of  fort  George. 

On  the  sixteenth  of  June,  lieutenant  Chauncey  havins; 
been  ordered  to  cruise  off  Presque  Isle  with  the  Lady  oi 
the  Lake,  captured  the  Lady  Murray,  with  some  ofticws 
and  privates,  besides  a  quantity  of  mditary  stores.  About 
the  same  time,  a  devastating  and  plundenng  party  of  the 
British  made  an  attack  on  the  village  of  Sodus,  where 
some  publick  stores  were  deposited.  On  their  approacli, 
these  were  concealed  in  the  woods,  while  the  militia 
could  be  assembled  to  defend  them.    The  British,  exa?,- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WARf, 


139 


perated  at  their  disappointment,  set  fire  to  all  the  valua- 
ble buildings  in  the  town,  destroyed  the  private  property 
of  individuals,  and  were  only  induced  to  desist  from 
the  entire  destruction  of  the  place,  on  the  stipulation  of 
the  inhabitants  to  deliver  the  publick  stores  at  tlie  wharf. 
The  militia  soon  after  appearin<j,  the  British  were  com- 
pelled to  decamp  with  the  booty  they  liad  already  collect- 
ed. They  made  a  second  attempt  a  few  days  afterwards, 
but  were  prevented  from  lanifui^  by  the  appearance  of 
the  militia.  This  marauding  expedition  had  no  pretext 
of  retali'vtion  to  cover  it. 

About  this  time  an  aftair  of  considerable  moment  took 
place  near  fort  George,  in  which  our  arms  again  experi- 
enced a  severe  reverse.  A  detachment  had  been  ordered 
out  for  the  purpose  of  dislodging  a  party  of  the  enemy 
at  La  Goose's  house,  about  seventeen  miles  from  fort 
George,  where  they  had  been  stationed  for  some  time,  in 
tlie  neighbourhood  of  two  otlicrs  still  more  formidable,  but 
which  were  both  nearer  to  fort  George.  Lieutenant  colo- 
nel Bcerstler,  was  selected  to  command  it.  The  expedition 
had  no  rational  object,  was  dangerous  and  ill-judged. 
The  detachment  had  not  proceeded  more  than  half  way, 
when  Indiana  were  seen  skulking  across  the  wood  in  their 
Fear.  A  camp  of  several  hundred  of  these,  lay  between 
them  and  the  point  to  which  they  were  ^oins;."  The  In- 
dians now  attacked  them  from  the  adjoining  woods;  at 
last  they  were  compelled  to  fly;  but  they  kept  up  the 
fight  long  enough  for  the  British  parties  to  come  up  and 
attack  them  on  all  sides.  Colonel  Bcerstler  continued  to 
make  a  brave  resistance,  until  his  ammunition  was  nearly 
expended,  and  a  third  of  his  detachment  placed  hors  ae 
&ombat.  His  rear  was  assailed  by  a  large  body  of  British 
and  Indians,  and  no  way  of  retrtating  remained  but 
by  cutting  his  way  through  tliem.  He  proposed  a  charge 
upon  the  enemy;  he  had  been  twice  summoned  to  sur- 
render; on  consultation  with  his  oflicers,  it  was  agreed 
to  capitulate  under  the  same  stipulations  as  those  of 
general  Winchester,  and  which  were  but  littli  better  re- 
spected. 

A  few  days  after  this,  the  British  having  been  greatly 
reinforced  by  general   De  Rottenburgh,    ir.vested   the 


'i 
s 


Ki 


^w^^^ 


¥^-^isiii^'3U.Z. 


i.40 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


American  camp.  General  Vincent  was  stationed  at  Bur* 
lin^on  heights,  and  I)e  Rottenbui*;!!  at  Ten  Mile  Creek. 
The  New-York  volunteers  were  detained  at  tlie  head  of 
the  lake,  contrary  to  their  parole,  and  on  the  twelfth  were 
ordered  to  Kingston;  but  on  the  way  a  number  ejected 
their  escape. 

During  the  remainder  of  this  and  the  succeeding 
months,  a  war  of  posts  was  kept  up  between  the  two  ar- 
mies. On  the  eighth  of  July,  a  severe  skirmish  was 
br  ught  on,  in  which  nearly  the  whole  force  on  either 
side  was  engaged,  without  any  thing  of  moment  result- 
ing from  it.  An  incident,  however,  occurred,  which 
served  to  exasperate  the  Americans  to  a  higher  degree 
tlian  any  thing  during  the  war  in  this  Quarter.  Lieu- 
tenant Kldridge,  a  gallant  and  accomplisned  youth,  was 
drawn  by  his  impetuosity  too  far,  with  about  thirty  men, 
and  was  surrounded  by  British  and  Indians.  The  great- 
er part  resisted  until  they  were  killed;  but  lieutenant 
EUlridge  and  ten  others,  were  taken  prisoners,  and  never 
afterwards  heard  of.  The  bodies  of  the  slain  were  treat- 
ed in  the  most  shocking  manner  by  the  Indians:  their 
hearts  were  taken  out  and  actually  eaten  by  those  mon- 
sters, the  allies  of  a  christian  king!  General  Boyd,  con- 
sidering the  forbearance  hitherto  practised  in  declining 
the  aid  of  Indian  allies,  as  no  longer  justifiable,  accepted 
the  services  of  the  Seneca  nation,  having  about  four  hun- 
dred warriours,  under  Young  Cornplanter,  or  Henry  0. 
Beal,  an  Indian,  educated  at  one  of  our  colleges,  but 
who  on  his  return  had  resumed  the  blanket.  It  was, 
however,  positively  stipulated,  that  the  unresisting  and 
drfcnceless  should  not  be  hurt;  and  that  no  scalps  should 
be  taken;  from  this  they  never  deviated  during  the  war; 
but  the  circumstance  of  having  Indians  on  our  side, 
it  was  thought,  might  operate  on  the  minds  of  the  British. 

On  the  eleventh  of  July,  a  force  of  two  hundred  of  the 
enemy  crossed  the  I^iagara,  and  attacked  Black  Rock; 
the  militia  stationed  there,  at  first  fled,  but  soon  returned 
with  a  force  of  regulars  and  Indians,  and  compelled  them 
to  ily  to  their  boats,  leaving  nine  of  their  men  killed, 
and  their  commander,  colonel  Bishop,  mortally  wounded. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  of  .Inly,  a  seeoud  ex}  edition  was 
undertaken  against  York.    I'hiee  hundred  men,  under 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


141 


colonel  ScoU,  embarked  in  commodore  Chauncey*8  fleet, 
anil  suddenly  landing  at  that  place,  drove  the  enemy,  des- 
troyed the  publlck  stores  and  property,  released  a  number 
of  colonel  Ucerstler's  men,  and  returned  to  Sackett's  Har- 
bour, with  a  trifling  loss. 

The  British,  who  were'  at  this  time  pursuing  the  sys- 
tem of  devastation  along  our  sea-boaru,  which  will  be 
recounted  in  the  next  chapter,  were  at  the  same  time 
en^^aged  in  laying  waste  tlie  country  on  the  borders  of 
lake  Chainplain.  A  little  navy  was  also  set  on  foot  by 
both  sides,  on  this  lake,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year; 
but  that  of  the  United  States  was  thus  far  less  proper- 
ous  than  that  of  the  enemy.  The  whole  American  force, 
on  this  lake,  consisted  of  a  few  armed  barges,  some  gun- 
boats, and  two  schooners,  the  Growler  and  Eagle,  under 
lieutenant  Sidney  Smith.  In  the  beginning  ot  July,  the 
schooners  were  attacked  near  the  entrance  of  this  lake 
into  the  St.  Lawrence,  an('  after  a  severe  resistanc<^  of 
tluee  hours,  against  a  very  superiour  force,  were  compel- 
led to  surrender.  The  Britisli  being  now  masters  of  the 
lake,  cruised  along  its  borders,  lauding  in  various  places, 
and  committing  many  depredations  on  the  property  of  tlie 
inhabitants.  On  the  thirty-first  of  July,  twelve  hundred 
men  landed  at  Plattsburgh,  where  no  resistance  was 
made,  a  sufficient  body  of  militia  not  being  collected  in 
time;  they  first  destroyed  all  the  publick  buildings,  and 
then  wantonly  burnt  the  storehouses  f  several  of  the 
inhabitants,  and  carried  oft'  great  quantities  of  private 
property.  The  same  outra^'es  were  committed  after- 
wards at  Swanton,  in  the  slate  of  Vermont.  Such  acts 
served  only  to  provoke  the  inhabitants,  and  render  them 
better  disposed  to  give  the  enemy  a  warm  reception  at 
some  other  period. 

On  lake  Ontario,  a  formidable  naval  armament,  con- 
sidering the  size  of  this  inland  sea,  was  arrayed  on  either 
side,  and  an  interesting  contest  ensued,  between  two 
skilful  officers,  for  the  superiority.  The  General  Pike, 
of  twenty -two  guns,  had  been  launched,  and  proved  to  be 
an  excellent  sailer,  and  commodore  Chauncey  was  now 
fully  equal,  in  point  of  strength,  to  his  antagonist.  Sir 
James,  though  somewhat  infeviour  in  force,  had  the  ad*- 


'.1^ 


1 

.i,«v 


142 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


vantage  in  an  important  particular,  his  ships  sailed  better 
in  squadron,  ana  he  could  therefore  avoid  or  come  to  an 
eni2;agement  when  he  should  tliink  proper.  But  it  being 
a  matter  all  important  for  the  British,  to  prevent  the 
Aniericans  from  becoming  masters  of  the  lake,  sir  James 
prudently  avoided  a  general  action,  and  on  all  occasions 
exerted  his  utn.jst  skill,  with  this  intention.  On  the  con- 
trary, to  bring  him  to  action,  was  the  utmost  wish  of  com- 
modore Chauncey;  and  the  manoeuvres  on  either  side,  are 
said  to  be  amongst  the  most  skilful  known  in  the  history 
of  naval  tacticks.  On  the  seventh  of  August,  they  came 
in  sight  of  each  other,  the  fleets  about  equal  force.  Com- 
modore Chauncey  u.anceuvred  to  gain  the  wind.  Hav- 
ing passed  tL?  leeward  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  being 
abreast  of  hirt  van  ship,  the  Wolf,  he  fired  a  few  guns  to 
ascertain  whether  he  could  reach  the  hostile  fleet.  The 
shot  falling  short,  he  wore  and  hauled  upon  a  wind  to  the 
starboard  tack;  the  rear  of  the  commodore's  schooners 
being  six  miles  astern.  Sir  James  wore  also,  and  hauled 
upon  a  wind  on  the  same  tack,  but  observing  that  (he 
American  fleet  would  be  able  to  weather  him  in  the  next 
tack,  he  tacked  again  and  made  all  sail  to  the  northward. 
Commodore  Chauncey  pursued  him.  The  chase  was 
continued  unti'  nigtit,  but  the  schooners  not  being  able 
to  keep  up,  a  signal  was  nade  to  give  up  the  pursuit,  our 
force  in  close  order.  The  wind  now  blew  heavy,  and  at 
midnight,  two  of  the  schooners,  the  Scourge  and  the 
Hamilton,  were  found  to  have  overset  in  the  squall. 
Lieutenants  Winter  and  Osgood,  two  valuable  officers, 
were  lost,  and  only  sixteen  men  of  the  crew  saved.  The 
next  morning  the  enemy,  discovering  this  loss,  appeared 
to  be  disposed  to  engage,  and  seemed  to  bear  oft*  for  that 
purpose,  having  now  the  superiority.  Two  schooners 
were  ordered  to  move  up  and  engage  him,  but  when  with- 
in a  mile  and  a  half,  he  attempted  to  cut  them  off,  in 
which  he  failed;  he  then  hauled  his  wind  and  hove  to.  A 
squall  coming  on,  and  commodore  Chauncey  being  ap- 
prehensive 01  separating  from  his  dull  sailing  schooners, 
ran  in  towards  Niagara  and  anchored.  Here  he  receiv- 
ed on  board,  from  fort  George,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
^en  to  act  as  marines,  and  distributed  them  through  hw 


;  *^A,v;.  .mim'ssiimk»i&v>i.^i)'*iimmk!m&^^ . 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


143 


I  better 
e  to  an 
it  being 
ent  the 
r  James 
jcasions 
the  con- 
of  corn- 
side,  arc 
J  history 
ey  came 
:.    Com- 
l    Hav- 
nd  being 
/  s^ins  to 
et.    The 
nd  to  the 
jchooners 
id  hauled 
that  the 
the  next 
arthvvard. 
lase  Nvas 
iing  able 
[rsuit,  our 
y,  and  at 
and  tlie 
le   squall, 
officers, 
led.    The 
appeared 
['  for  that 
schooners 
Ihen  with- 
m  off,  in 
ve  to.   A 
being  ap- 
Ichooneis, 
le  receiv- 
|and  fifty 
Irough  hi^ 


fleet;  he  again  sailed  and  continued  until  eleven  o'clock,  at 
times  pursuing  and  being  pursued,  when  the  rear  of  the 
line  opened  its  fire,  which  in  fifteen  minutes  became  gen- 
eral on  both  sides.    At  half  past  eleven,  the  weather  line 
bore  off,  and  passed  to  the  leeward,  except  the  Growler 
and  Julia,  which  soon  after  tacked  to  the  southward,  and 
brought  the  British  between  them  and  the  remainder  of 
{we  American  fleet,  which  then  edged  away  to  engage  the 
enemy  to  more  advantage,  and  to  lead  him  from  the  two 
schooners.    Sir  James  exchanged  a  few  shot  with  the 
American  commodore's  ship,  and  pursued  the  Growler 
and  Julia.    A  firing  commenced  between  them,  which 
continued  until  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  tenth. 
A  desperate  resistance  was  made  against  this  superiour 
force  to  which  the  two  vessels  were  compelled  to  vield; 
Sir  James*  ship  is  said  to  have  been  considerably  injured. 
The  next  day  he  was  visible,  but  shewed  no  disposition 
to  come  to  action.    Commodore  Chauncey  soon  after  re- 
turned to  Sackett's  Harbour.    A  victory  for  this  affair 
was  claimed  by  sir  James  Yeo;  his  situation  would  not 
allow  him  to  be  candid,  for  he  was  compelled  to  keep  up 
an  appearance  of  being  willing  to  engage  the  American 
squadron,  although  he  nad  no  such  intenti(m;  he  expect- 
ed, however,  to  be  able  to  cut  off  our  dull  sailing  schoonera 
in  detail« 


J*  •?■ 


'    IPS' 

!•  ^% 


♦  ! 


144 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


CHAPTER  Vni. 

'^'ar  on  the  coast — ^Exp^olts  of  Cockburn — Plundering  and  burning  of 
Havrc-de-Grace'— l?nrning  of  Georgetown  and  Fredericktown-^Ar- 
rival  of  admiral  Warren  and  sir  Sidney  Beckwith— Southern  cities 
threatened — -Attack  on  Craney  island — ^Enormities  at  Hampton— 
Cockburn  plunders  the  coast  of  North  Carolina— Blockade  of  the 
American  squadron  at  New  London,  by  commodore  Hardy— The 
torpedo  system. 

XluRiNG  the  first  year  of  the  war,  Great  Britain  being 
deeply  engaged  in  the  important  transactions  then  going 
on  in  Europe,  had  little  time  to  attend  to  the  wai-  with 
this  country:  not  one  of  our  ports  could  be  said  to  have 
been  in  a  state  of  actual  blockade. 

The  forces  which  she  could  spare,  were  sent  to  Cana- 
da. The  change  in  the  face  oi  things  in  Europe,  gave 
her  a  greater  disposable  force,  and  more  leisure,  while 
our  unparalleled  victories  on  the  ocean,  awakened  her 
attention,  and  kindled  a  desire  for  revenge.  Long  be- 
fore spring  it  was  known  that  a  British  squadron  had  ar- 
rived at  Bermuda  with  a  body  of  troops  on  board,  and 
well  supplied  with  bombs  and  rockets,  ror  the  purpose  of 
attacking  some  of  our  most  exposed  southern  cities.  For 
the  invidious  distinction  was  made  between  the  north 
and  south,  from  a  belief,  that  the  northern  states  were 
not  merely  unfriendly  to  the  war,  but  were  strongly  in- 
clined to  secede  from  the  union,  and  return  to  their  for- 
mer allegiance  to  the  king  of  England. 

We  are  now  about  to  enter  upon  a  species  of  hostili- 
ties, entirely  new  among  civilized  people.  The  scenes 
which  we  must  pass  in  review,  can  scarcely  be  spoken  of 
wilh  moderation.  They  are  compounded  of  the  avari- 
cious and  plundering  barbarity,  which  characterizes  the 
pirates  of  the  Mediterranean,  and  of  the  savage  ferocity 
of  the  scenes  which  disgraced  the  River  Raisin.  What- 
ever may  be  the  reputations  of  the  chief  actors  in  En- 
gland, they  can  never  be  otherwise  regarded  in  this  coun- 
try, than  as  the.  infamous  instruments  in  the  perpetration 
of  enormities,  from  which  the   honourable  man  would 


shrink 

prison 

ary  wa 

and  wl 

to  havt 

sible  a 

double 

eternal 

future 

certain! 

things  s 

at  peaci 

it  vvouh 

ty;  it  w 

most  CO 

tinction 

It  wa 

against 

of  havoc 

exactly 

tising  ui 

large  coi 

the  appr 

taciied; 

gen,  it  V 

jured,  an 

regular  t 

the  sea-b 

^vhich  m 

number  ( 

Hels,  whi( 

this  servi 

On  the 

two  ships 

inadi>    its 

standing 

d lately  c* 

the  upper 

>nade  upo 

destroying 

tioa  of  tl 


HISTOUY  OF  THE  WAR. 


145 


shrink  with  instinctive  horrour.  The  recollection  of  the 
prison  ships  and  other  enormities,  during  the  revolution- 
ary war,  when  England  chose  to  regard  us  as  traitors, 
and  which  the  generosity  and  wisdom  of  England  ouglit 
to  have  kept  from  our  minds,  was  renewed  with  all  pos- 
sihle  aggravation,  now  tliat  she  chose  to  regard  us  as 
double  traitors.  If  it  has  been  her  intention  to  plant  an 
eternal  hatred  in  the  hearts  of  a  people,  destined  at  some 
future  day  to  become  numerous  and  powerful,  she  has 
certainly  fallen  upon  the  proper  means.  To  say  that  these 
things  should  be  passed  over  lightly,  because  we  are  now 
at  peace  with  her,  would  be  a  scandal  to  every  American; 
it  would  be  a  desertion  of  truth,  justice,  religion,  humani- 
ty; it  would  be  passing  over  lightly  and  indulgently,  the 
most  complicated  crimes,  and  sinking  at  once  every  dis- 
tinction between  infamy  and  virtue. 

It  was  soon  understood,  that  the  war  to  be  carried  on 
against  the  Atlantic  coast  in  the  spring,  was  to  be  a  war 
of  havock  and  destruction;  but  to  what  extent  was  not 
exactly  known.  'Hie  enemy,  however,  "talked  of  chas- 
tising us  into  submission,"  and  it  was  expected,  that  our 
large  commercial  towns,  now  somewhat  fortified  against 
the  approach  of  their  shipping,  would  be  vigorously  at- 
tacked; and,  from  the  example  we  had  seen  at  Copenha- 
gen, it  was  not  impossible  that  they  would  be  niucli  in- 
jured, and  perhaps  reduced  to  ashes.  Small  bodies  of 
regular  troi  jis  were  stationed  at  ditterent  points  along 
the  sea-board,  to  form  the  rallying  points  of  ilm  militia, 
which  mi;:ht  be  called  out  as  occasion  should  require:  a 
number  ot  marines  and  seamen,  belonging  to  publick  veii- 
sels,  which  did  not  put  to  sea,  were  also  to  co-operate  in 
this  service. 

On  tlie  fourth  of  February,  a  squadron  consistitig  of 
two  sliips  of  the  line,  three  frigates,  and  other  vessels, 
made  its  appearance  in  the  Chesapeake,  apparently 
standing  for  Hampton  Roads.  The  alarm  was  imme- 
diately caught  at  Isorfolk,  and  the  militia  called  ia  from 
the  upper  part  of  the  state.  No  attempt,  however,  \.  as 
)nade  upon  the  town,  the  enemy  contenting  himstif  with 
destroying  the  smaller  vessels  einployed  m  the  navf^^a- 
tion  of  the  bay,  and  etVectively  blockading  its  \\»i.tci.«. 

13 


'MM- 


y. 


f'H 


i  ,.i.-N'  " 
,' :  i   t-  <  -  * 


.1         ';■'■' 


'    '?. 


V 


;  1 


'vM', 


M 


146 


HISTORY  OK  THE  WAK. 


About  iUc  same  time,  luiother  squadron,  under  tlie  com- 
mand ot"  commodore  Jjcrcsford,  appeared  in  the  Dela- 
ware, consisting  of  the  Poictiers,  the  13elvidera,  and  some 
other  vessels,  which  in  the  same  manner  destroyed  a 
number  of  small  trading  vessels,  and  attempted  several 
times  to  land  some  of  their  men,  who  were  as  often  re- 
pulsed by  the  militia,  hastily  collected.  On  the  tenth  of 
Apiil,  sir  John  Beresford  made  a  demand  on  the  people 
of  the  villa2;e  of  LewiF+own,  for  a  supply  of  provision!!, 
which  was  spiritedly  refused  by  colonel  Da'  s,  comm.and- 
ing  at  that  place.  Captain  Byron,  of  the  Belvidera,  wns 
ordered  to  move  near  the  village  and  bombard  it,  until 
the  demand  should  be  complied  with.  Tliis  was  obeyed, 
but  without  effect;  after  a  cannonade  of  twenty  hour,'^- 
they  were  unable  to  make  any  impression  on  the  plact . 
Their  fire  had  been  returned  from  some  batteries,  hastily 
thrown  np  on  the  bank,  with  considerable  eifect.  On  the 
tenth  of  May,  the  same  squadron  sent  out  their  barges  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Lewistown,  to  procure  water.  Ma- 
jor George  Hunter  was  detached  by  colonel  Davis,  with 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  to  oppose  their  landing,  which 
the  major  did  with  so  much  gallantry,  that  he  compelled 
them  to  hasten  to  their  shipping.  The  squadron  soon 
after  returned  to  Bermuda,  where  sir  J.  Borlace  Warren, 
who  commanded  on  this  station,  was  engaged  in  fitting 
out  a  more  considerable  armament,  for  the  attack  of  our 
sea-coast  during  the  summer. 

Soon  after  the  departure  of  the  squadron,  the  Spartan, 
and  some  other  fiigates  cjitered  the  Delaware.  One  of 
their  vessels,  the  ^l  art  in,  was  discovered  on  the  twenty- 
ninth  of  July,  slightly  grounded  on  the  outer  edge  of 
Crow's  shoals.  A  detachment  of  the  gunboat  flotilla  im- 
mediately moved,  and  anchoring  in  a  line  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  tlie  sloop,  opened  a  destructive 
fire  upon  her.  The  Junon  frigate  soon  after  canu^  off  to 
her  relief;  a  cannonade  was  kept  up  during  an  hour  be- 
tween the  gunboats  and  these  two  vessels,  in  whkh  the 
latter  suffered  great  injury-  Finding  it  impossible  to 
drive  oif  thismusqueto  fleet,  they  manned  their  launches, 
tenders,  and  cutters,  to  cut  oif  the  gunboats  at  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  line.  No.  121,  com manded  by  sailing-mas- 
ter Head,  was  unfortunately  taken,  after  a  desperate 


the  com- 
the  Bela- 
,  and  some 
estroyed  a 
ed  several 
s  often  ip- 
le  tenth  of 
the  people 
provisions, 
,  command- 
vidcra,  wr.s 
rd  it,  until 
vas  obeyed, 
enty  hourp 
.  the  phict. 
ries,  hastily 
ct.     On  the 
ir  barj^es  in 
vater.    Ma- 
Davis,  with 
iding,  which 
compelled 
adron  soon 
ce  Warren, 
d  in  fitting 
[tack  of  our 

the  Spartan,^ 
[re.     One  of 
[the  twenty- 
ter  edge  of 
flotilla  im- 
^bout  three- 
destructive 
came  off  to 
m  hour  be- 
ll whicli  the 
ipossible  to 
ir  launches, 
at  the  ex- 
ailing-mas- 
desperato 


mSTOUY  OF  TilE  AVAli. 


1  lie 


14: 


Ilritisii 


resistance  against  eight  times  her  number. 

soon  after  made  sail,  the  Martin  having  been  extricated 

from  her  situation. 

Scenes  of  a  different  kind  were,  in  the  meanwhile,  act- 
ing in  the  Chesapeake.  The  squadron,  whicli  returned 
in  February,  still  continued  to  caiTV  on  a  predatory  war 
along  the  shores  and  inlets.  It  was  here,  that  one  Cock- 
burn,  by  some  means  an  admiral  in  the  service  of  the 
king  01  England,  exhibited  the  first  of  those  exploits,  for 
which  he  afterwards43ecame  so  highly  celebrated;  and  of 
which  he  may  justly  claim  to  be  tue  originator.  At  first 
they  were  directed  against  the  detached  farm-houses  and 
seats  of  private  gentlemen,  unprepared  for,  and  incapa- 
ble of  defence;  these  were  robbed,  and  the  owners  treat- 
ed in  the  rudest  manner.  The  cattle  whicli  could  not  be 
carried  away,  were  doomed  to  W':inton  destruction:  the 
slaves  were  armed  against  their  owners,  and  persuaded 
to  follow  the  example  of  their  new  friends,  to  attack  their 
master's  defenceless  families,  and  to  engage  in  pillaging* 
them.  It  was  impossible  to  station  a  force  at  each  farm-^ 
house,  to  repel  these  miserable  and  disgraceful  incur- 
sions; yet,  in  several  instances,  Cockburn  and  his  ruffians 
were  bravely  repelled  by  a  collection  of  the  neighbours 
without  authority,  and  under  no  leader.  The  spiiited 
citizens  of  Maryland  formed  bodies  of  cavalry,  which 
were  stationed  at  intervals  along  the  shore,  to  be  drawn 
out  at  a  moment's  warning,  for  the  purpose  of  repelling 
the  sudden  inroads  of  the  enemy.  Cockburn  took  pos- 
session of  several  islands  in  the  bay,  particularly  Sharp's, 
Tilghman's,  and  Poplar  islands,  whence  he  could  seize 
the  opportunity  of  making  a  descent  upon  tiie  neigh- 
bouring shores,  when  the  inhabitants  happened  to  be  off 
their  guard. 

Encouraged  bj  his  success  agjiinst  the  farmers,  and  his 
rapacity  increasing  by  tiie  booty  which  he  had  already 
obtained,  Cockburn  now  resolved  to  undertake  something 
ofa  more  bold  and  adventurous  character,  in  which  his 
thirst  for  plunder,  and  his  love  of  mischief,  might  be  gra- 
tified in  a  higher  degree.  He  therefore  directed  his  at- 
tention to  the  unprotected  villages  and  hamlets  along  the 
bay;  carefully  avoiding  the  larger  towns,  the  plundering 


•;■>' 


•jkfijrt 'v» 


"^^'Mih 


.0 

m 

i 

r  _ 
"  ! 

i[ 

'■')■{ 

'  ^"""^ 

Vj> 

a 

M 

m 

(48 


HISTORY  OV  THE  WAR. 


of  which  iinuiht  be  attended  with  some  danj^er.  'Plie  first 
of  tliese  exploits  was  a;2;ainst  the  villap;e  ot  Frenchtown, 
<"on<nining  six  dwelling  houses,  two  large  store  houses, 
and  several  stables.  It  is  important,  however,  as  a  place 
ofdeposite  on  the  line  of  packets  and  stages  from  Phila- 
dolpliia  to  the  city  of  Baltimore,  and  Cockburn  rightly 
<  ojijectured  that  here  there  might  be  private  property  to  a 
considerable  amount.  He  accordingly  set  out  on  thjs 
expedition,  from  his  ship,  the  Marlborough,  in  barges; 
with  live  hundred  marines;  a  sufficient  mnnber  to  have 
carried  the  to^vn  oil  their  backs.  Some  show  of  rositj- 
tance  v/as  made  by  a  small  party  of  militia  collected  from 
Elkton,  but  which  moved  off  as  the  admiral  a|7proached. 
•Tl.c  storehouses  were  destroyed,  together  with  the  goods 
they  were  iir.nblo  to  carry  off,  to  an  immense  amount, 
Vmongst  other  objects  of  wanton  destruction,  was  an, 
elegant  drop-curiain,  intended  for  the  theatres  of  the 
cities  before  mentioned.  The  brand  was  applied  to  some 
of  the  private  dwelHng  houses,  and  to  several  vessels 
Iving  at  the  wharf;  after  achieving  this  glorious  victory, 
ihe  admiral,  feaiing  the  approach  of  the  militia,  hastify 
retired  to  his  ship. 

The  next  exploit  of  the  admiral,  was  of  still  greater 
importance.  The  town  of  Havre-de-Grace  is  sit  lated  on 
;he  Susquehanna,  about  two  miles  from  the  head  of  the 
bay,  and  is  a  neat  village,  containing  twenty  or  thirty 
houses.  An  attack  on  this  place  was  the  next  object 
^vhich  entered  into  the  plan  of  the  admiral's  operations. 
Accordingly,  on  the  third  of  May,  before  day-light,  his 
ajtproach  was  announced  by  a  few  cannon  shot,  and  the 
tiring  of  rockets.  The  inhabitants,  roused  from  their 
sleep,  leaped  up  in  the  greatest  consternation,  and  the 
more  courageous  repaired  to  tiie  beach,  were  a  few  small 
pieces  of  artillery  had  been  planted  on  a  kind  of  battery 
for  the  purpose  of  defence  against  the  smaller  watering  or 
plundering  parties  of  the  enemy.  After  firing  a  few  shots, 
with  the  exception  of  an  old  citizen  of  the  place,  of  tho 
name  of  O'Neill,  they  all  fled  on  tre  approach  of  the  barges, 
abandoning  the  village  to  the  mercy  of  Cockbuni.  O'Neill 
alone  continued  tlve  tight,  loading  a  piece  of  artillery,  and 
firin,^  it  himself,  until  by  recoiling  it  ran  over  his  thigh 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ug 


and  wounded  him  severely.  He  then  armed  hhnself 
with  a  musket,  and  limping  away,  still  kept  up  a  retreat- 
ing fight  with  the  advancing  column  of  the  British,  who 
had  by  this  time  landed  and  formed;  after  which  he  moved 
off  to  join  his  five  or  six  comrades,  whom  he  attempted' 
in  vain  to  rally. 

The  enemy  had  no  sooner  taken  possession  of  the  vil- 
vage,  by  this  sudden  and  bold  assault,  than  they  set  them- 
selves about  destroying  the  private  dwellings,  and  plun- 
dering their  contents.  Havinij  glutted  3ieir  avarice, 
they  then  amused  themselves  with  every  species  of  bai*" 
barous  and  wanton  mischief.  The  houses  being  now  on 
fire,  they  cut  open  the  beds  of  the  inhabitants,  and  threw 
in  the  feathers  to  increase  the  flame.  Women  and  child- 
ren fled  shrieking  in  every  direction,  to  avoid  the  brutal 
insolence  of  the  British  seamen  and  marines,  and  no 
where  did  they  find  a  protector  amongst  these  savages.. 
Their  clothes  were  torn  from  their  backs,  and  they  felt 
themselves  at  every  moment  in  danger  of  being  massa- 
cred. Not  on  women  and  children  alon^  were  these  out- 
rages committed;  the  stage  horses  kept  at  this  place 
were  cruelly  maimed,  and  the  stages  broken  to  pieces. 
Determined  that  their  character  should  not  be  equivocal^ 
these  worse  than  vandals,  selected  as  the  next  object  of 
their  barbarous  vengeance,  a  nea^  and  beautiful  buildin*, 
dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  Almighty,  and  with  unu- 
sual pains  defaced  its  doors  and  windows.  One  building 
yet  remained  undemolished,  an  elegant  dwelling  belong- 
ing to  commodore  Rodgers,  where  the  most  respectable, 
females  of  the  town  had  taken  refuge  with  their  children, 
believing  that  a  naval  oflicer  would  not  wantonly  insult 
the  unprotected  wife  of  a  brave  and  gallant  seaman,  who 
was  then  absent  in  the  service  of  his  country.  The  ofli* 
cer  to  whora.the  task  of  conflagration  had  been  assigned 
already  held  the  torch,  when  with  much  solicitation  he 
consented  to  wait  a  few  moments,  until  an  appeal  to  the 
admiral  could  be  made.  It  proved  successful,  and  it  is 
mentioned  to  his  praise,  that  he  only  refrained  on  one  oc- 
casion from  doing  that  which  would  have  been  the  climax 
ofbrutalitv.  There  beiny;  no  fuither  mischief  for  them 
to  perpetrate  in  the  village,  thev  divided  tlieir  force  into 

13* 


m 


m 


■li 


V, 


jO 


lllSTOnY  OF  THE  WAK. 


three  parts,  anil  vvliile  one  remained  to  keep  watch,  the 
others  proceeded  to  lay  waste  the  adjacent  country.  One 
party  followed  the  road  towards  jialtimore  for  several 
miles,  plundering  the  farm-houses,  and  robbing  the  travel- 
lers on  the  road  of  their  clothes  and  money;  the  other  pro- 
ceeded up  the  river,  committing  similar  outrages.  It 
were  endless  to  enumerate  the  acts  of  base  and  wanton 
injury,  inflicted  by  this  party,  during  the  short  time  which 
they  remained.  On  the  sixth,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of 
the  inhabitants,  these  savages,  than  whom  those  of  the 
west  were  not  worse,  returned  to  their  fleet.  O'Neill, 
who  had  been  taken  prisoner,  was  carried  with  them  and 
detained  several  days,  at  the  end  of  which  time  they 
thoaght  proper  to  release  him.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
village,  many  of  whom  were  almost  ruined,  threw  them- 
selves on  the  humanity  of  their  fellow-citizens  of  Haiti- 
more,  who  generously  contributed  to  their  relief,  and 
they  \ve "e  soon  after  enabled  to  commence  the  re-building 
of  thtir  houses. 

Klated  with  the  profitable  issue  of  thi;^  descent,  in 
which  so  rich  a  booty  was  obtained  with  so  little  danger, 
the  enemy  was  eager  for  some  other  enterprise  equally 
honourable  to  the  British  arms.  Tlie  admiral  had  cast 
his  eye  on  two  beautiful  villages,  situated  on  the  river 
Sassafras;  which  empties  itself  into  the  bay;  Georgetown 
and  Fredericktown,  situated  opposite  each  other,  one  in 
Kent,  the  other  in  Cecil  county.  His  hired  agents,  for 
miscreants  may  be  found  in  every  country  for  such  pur- 
poses, had  informed  him,  that  here  be  might  glut  his  crew 
with  plunder.  On  the  sixth,  placing  himself  at  the  head 
of  six  hundred  men,  in  eigliteen  barges,  he  ascended  the 
river,  and  proceeded  towards  Fredericktown.  Colonel 
Veazy  had  collected  here  about  fifty  militia,  on  the  ap- 
proach of  the  barges,  which  immediately  commenced  a 
neavy  fire  with  lan^rage,  shot  and  musketry.  The  great- 
er part  of  the  militia  fled,  and  left  colonel  Veazy  to  op- 
pose them  as  he  could;  he,  notwithstanding,  kept  up  a 
steady  fire,  until  they  approached  so  near  that  he  was 
compelled  to  retreat  The  admiral  boldly  advanced  to 
the  town,  plundered  the  houses,  and  in  spite  of  the  en- 
treaties of  the  women  and  childjien,  again  acted  the  in* 


HISTOHY  OF  THR  WAU. 


1j1 


ccniliary,  and  leaving  Fiedericktovvn  in  ilames,  passed 
to  tlie  opposite  side  of  the  river,  \vh>.Me  after  riaving 
treated  the  village  of  Georgeto\/n  in  the  same  manner, 
he  returned  glutted  with  spoil  and  satiated  with  wanton 
havock. 

It  was  not  long  after  this,  that  admiral  Warren  onfrr- 
cd  the  bay  with  a  considerable  reinforcement,  and  a  num- 
ber of  land  troops  and  marines,  under  the  command  of 
sir  Sidney  Beckwith.  They  had  seized  a  number  of  the 
smaller  vessels  emy)loyed  in  the  navigation  of  the  bay, 
for  the  purpose  of  being  used  in  penetrating  the  various 
inlets,  impervious  to  their  larger  tenders.  To  oppose  to 
these  small  parties,  employed  in  frequent  and  distressing 
depredations  on  the  property  of  private  individuals,  tiie 
government  hired  a  nun»ber  of  barges  and  liglit  vessels, 
which  by  moving  from  place  to  place  with  great  rapidity, 
would  tend  to  keep  the  enemy  in  cheek.  On  the  arrival 
of  admiral  Warren,  their  force,  which  appeared  in  the 
Chesapeake,  consisted  of  seven  ships  ol  the  line,  and 
twelve  frigates,  with  a  proportionate  number  of  smaller 
vessels.  The  appearance  of  this  fo'*midable  force,  created 
much  alarm  in  the  more  considerable  towns  along  the 
Chesapeake.  Baltimore,  Annapolis,  and  Norfolk,  vv^ere 
threatened.  The  last  of  these  places,  it  was  evident 
was  to  receive  the  first  blow. 

On  the  eighteenth,  commodore  Cassin,  having  received 
intelligence  that  a  squadron  of  tlie  enemy  had  arrived  in 
Hampton  Roads,  now  made  the  neces:  ary  disj)ositions 
for  repelling  the  invader.  The  frigate  Constellation  was 
anchored  between  the  two  fjrts,  on  each  i^ide  of  Eliza- 
beth river,  which  commands  the  approach  to  Norfolk. 
At  thiS  place  nearly  ten  thousand  ol  the  Virginia  militia 
had  been  already  collected.  The  gunboat  flotilla  was 
ordered  in  the  meanwhile  to  descend  the  river,  and  en- 
gage the  foremost  of  the  enemy'-i  fiigates.  Captain  Tar- 
bell,  by  whom  it  was  commanded,  proceeded  in  two  divi- 
sions; the  first  commanded  by  lieutenant  Gardner,  and 
the  other  by  lieutenant  Henley.  On  the  twentieth,  iiav- 
ing  brought  his  gunboats  into  a  favourable  position,  he 
opened  a  rapid  fire  upon  the  Junon  fii[»,ate,  at  tlie  dis- 
tance of  half  a  mile.     This  was  returned,  and  continued 


U 


V-*>Hy;^.:i.,.^ 


15« 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


for  half  an  hour,  apparently  to  tlie  great  injury  of  th*^ 
fri^^ate,  the  j^unboats  sutt'ering  but  little.  Another  ves- 
sel, which  proved  to  be  a  razee,  was  seen  coming  to  htr 
assistance;  the  iire  of  the  Junon  for  a  short  time  appear- 
ed to  have  been  silenced,  but  on  the  arrival  of  her  con- 
»ort,  and  additional  frigates,  she  again  opened.  Captain 
Tarbeil  now  thought  proper  to  retire.  The  Junon  wan 
much  shattered;  and  her  loss,  considering  the  great  dis- 
parity of  force,  is  thought  to  have  been  considerable. 

A  formidable  attack  on  Norfolk  was  resolved  upon  by 
the  British;  preparatory  to  this,  it  would  be  necessary  to 
subdue  the  lorts  by  wliich  it  was  protected.  The  near- 
est obstruction  to  the  enemy's  advances,  was  Craney 
island;  and  in  the  course  of  the  day,  they  dropped  to  the 
mouth  of  James'  river.  Captain  Tarbeil  gave  orders  to 
lieutenriiits  Neal,  Shubrick  and  Saunders,  of  the  fri}2;ate 
Constellation:  to  land  with  a  hundred  seamen  on  tlie 
island,  for  the  purnoise  of  manninjj  a  battery  on  tlie  north- 
west side,  whde  he  stationed  the  gunboats  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  enable  him  to  annoy  the  enemy  from  the 
opposite  side.  On  the  twenty-second,  at  day-light,  they 
were  discovered  approaching  round  the  point  of  Nansi- 
mond  river,  with  about  four  tliousand  men,  a  great  pro- 
portion of  whom,  it  was  aftei'vvards  ascertained,  were 
wretched  French  troops,  wlio  had  been  taken  prisoners 
in  Spain,  and  induced  to  enter  into  the  British  service, 
under  promise  of  being  permitted  to  pillage  and  abuse  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States.  Tiiey  selected  a  place  of 
landing  out  of  tlie  reach  of  the  gunboats;  but  unfortu- 
nately for  them,  not  out  of  the  reach -of  danger.  When 
they  had  approached  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the 
shore,  lieutenant  Neale,  assisted  by  lieutenants  Shubrick 
and  Saunders,  open<»d  a  galling  fire  upon  them,  which 
compelled  them  to  pause.  The  battery  was  mounted 
with  an  eighteen-pounder,  and  manned  by  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  including  lieutenant  Breckenridge's  ma- 
rines. The  piece  was  directed  with  so  much  precision, 
that  several  of  their  boats  were  cut  in  two,  and  tlie  men 
with  difficulty  escaped.  The  Centipede,  the  admiral's 
barge,  was  sunk,  ancl  the  whole  force  was  compelled  to 
make  a  precipitate  retreat.     This  was  no  soun^^r  dii'cn- 


HISTOKY  OF  TIIK  WAR. 


15^ 


vcred,  than  lieutenant  Neale  ordered  his  men  to  haul  a\) 
the  boats,  which  had  been  sunk,  and  (o  aftord  the  utifoi- 
tunate  sufferers  every  assistance  in  tlicir  power.  A  lar^e 
body  of  the  enemy  who  had  landed  on  tiio  main  shore, 
were  not  less  warmly  received  by  the  Viri»;i  ia  volunteers, 
on  their  crossing  the  narrow  inlet  to  the  west.  A  short 
time  before  the  approach  of  the  barj^es,  this  body  of  men, 
about  eight  hundred  in  number,  attei"pted  to  cross  to  tlie 
island  by  the  inlet  of  which  we  have  s|)okcn;  colonel 
Beaty  had  been  posted,  with  about  four  hundred  men,  to 
guuru  the  pass;  two  twenty-four  pounders,  and  two 
sixes,  were  planted  to  oppose  the  passage,  under  the  di- 
rection of  major  Faulkner,  and  the  guns  commanded  by 
Gaptain  Emerson,  and  lieutenants  llovvel  and  Godwin. 
The  conflict  here  raged  at  the  same  moment  with  the  at- 
tack on  the  party  approaching  by  water.  The  enemy  was 
compelled  to  give  up  the  attempt  in  tl»is  quarter  also. 
His  loss  in  this  sional  repulse,  was  upwards  of  two  hun- 
tlreJ  in  killed  an(l  wounded,  besiides  a  number  of  deser- 
ters, who  seized  the  opportunity  of  making  their  escape. 

The  safety  of  the  city  of  Norfolk,  and  of  tlie  surround- 
ing towns  of  Gosport,  Portsmouth,  and  others,  is  to  be 
attributed  to  the  resolute  defence  of  Craney  island.  Tlie 
conduct  of  lieutenant  Neale  and  his  brave  companions, 
Shubrick,  Saunders,  ar.d  Breckemidge,  received  the 
grateful  acknowledgements  of  the  inhabitants.  Colonel 
Beaty  and  his  officers,  and  two  non-commissioned  volun- 
teers, sergeant  Young  and  corporal  Moffit,  were  no  less 
entitled  to  praise  for  the  parts  which  they  took  in  this  in- 
teresting affair. 

This  unexpected  repulse  enraged  the  enemy  beyond 
measure.  At  the  same  time  that  their  desire  of  revenge 
was  excited,  in  consequence  of  their  disappointment  in  the 
sacking  of  Norfolk,  they  were  tau";ht  greater  prudence 
in  the  selection  of  the  object  of  attack.  In  a  consultation 
between  admiral  Warren,  sir  Sidney  Beckwith,  and  Cock- 
burn,  they  determines'  on  attacking  the  town  of  Hamp- 
ton, distant  about  eighteen  miles  from  Norfolk.  There 
was  a  garrison  here,  consisting  of  about  four  hundred 
men,  artillerists  and  infantry.  The  fortifications  of  the 
lace  were  of  very  little  consequence;  in  fact,  it  was  but 


; 


1.54 


HIS  TORY  OK  THE  AV  Ali. 


dii  open  villa;;'!*,  ol  li(flc  inoro  iiit])()r(aiu'0,  tlian  lliii-^c  |>il- 
la';;«Ml  by  Coclvbuui.  If  was  <li<ni^lit,  that  l>y  |n>HS('s-.iri<j; 
•  Ills  plan*,  (he  ((mununication  hetwcoii  Noiiulk  atid  liu' 
uppiM- (M)un<iy  nouUl  ho  nitiivly  cni  oil*.  On  (ho  (wcii- 
iy-li((h,  (ho  plan  ofaKacIv  hav'my;  boon  adjusloii,  ailiniral 
i'ookburii  advaiirod  towards  tlw;  town,  with  a  nunihor  ol' 
l)ari;o.'.,  (onilors,  and  smaller  vossels,  thro'vinij;  lockots, 
ami  liriuj:;  towards  tlio  (own,  while  sir  Sidney  landed  he- 
low,  at  (ho  head  of  two  (housand  men,  intemlmj;*  lo  maidi 
np  and  i^ain  (lie  rear  of  (he  Amerieans.  Admiral  Cork- 
burn  was  s(»  warndy  received  by  niajor  CrutehHeld,  (lie 
ofHcer  commandin|<;'  at  Hampton,  who  opened  upon  him  a 
lew  pieces  ofar(inery,  (hat  he  was  compelled  instantly 
to  withdraw,  and  conceal  himself  behind  a  poin(.  In  the 
meanwhile,  sir  Sidney  nwide  his  appearance,  and  was  se- 
verely handled  bv  a  rille  company  under  captain  Servant, 
which  hail  been  pos(ed  in  a  w(»od,  near  winch  ho  had  (o 
pass.  Major  Crutchlleld,  soon  after  drew  up  his  infan(ry 
in  support  of  the  riHemen;  but  lindin^  himself  unable  to 
contend  wi(h  numbers  so  superior,  ho  made  t!;ood  his  re- 
treat, no(,  however,  wi(houtii;roat  dilliculty.  ('aptain  Pvy- 
or,  who  had  been  left  to  connnand  the  battery,  which  op|)os- 
ed  (he  enemy's  landinif,  found  that  the  royal  marines  had 
approached  within  sixty  yards  of  him;  his  corps  consid- 
erini^  itself  in  a  situatior»  hopeless  of  escape,  already  re- 
garded themselves  as  prisoners  of  \yar;  when  he  ordered 
the  guns  to  be  spiked,  and  charging  upon  the  enemy, 
threw  them  into  confusion,  and  actually  etVected  his  es- 
cape without  the  loss  of  a  single  man.  The  loss  of  the 
Americans,  in  this  aftair,  amouhted  to  seven  killed  and 
twelve  wounded;  that  of  the  British,  accordinjjito  their  ac- 
knowledgements, was  live  killed  and  thirty-three  wound- 
ed; but  probably  much  more  considerable. 

We  have  again  to  record  the  inhuman  and  detestable 
conduct  of  those  entrusted  by  Great  Britain,  with  the 
direction  of  the  war  against  America.  Conduct  which 
can  scarcely  find  a  parallel  in  the  atrocious  deeds  com- 
mitted  by  tne  savages  at  the  river  Raisin.  A  series  of 
equal  outrages  on  all  the  laws  of  honourable  war,  is  not 
to  be  met  with  in  authentick  history.  No  sooner  was  this 
village  in  quiet  possession  of  the  invaders,  than  full  per* 


HISTORY  OK  rWl)  \\Wi. 


15;» 


mission  was  y;ivcii  to  flic  vile  Micrccn.iry  wn»t(l»<M  wlii(  li 
(•niii|MH(Ml  llu'  IJrilisli  loicr,  to  «:;iv«'  a  loose  <o  lli<'ir  woisf 
|)assioiis  ami  |>i(»|K'nsili('S.     Allcr  aclirii;  flic  usual  mcncs 
III'  sliaiiiclcss  plunder  ami  (icvasfafioii,  in  wIi'm  li  ol]i('(M'<i 
,111(1   iiKMi   look   an  (M|iial   sliaic;  llicy  procn'dcd   to  o!Ii  r 
vidlcncc  to  (lie  pcr-ams  of  tiK'.  uiilorlnrialr   inlia!>ilaiit>., 
whose  ni^e,  whose  sex,  whose   inlinnilies   piechnled    ihe 
pdssihilif y  of  escape.     'J'lie  wretched   lenialcH  w<'re  cori- 
si*;iicd  U)  the  <;rati Ileal  ion  of  the  brutal  desires  of  a  hrutal 
soldiery,   \\ifh    ( ircuinstances   of  iiidi^tiity   unheard   of. 
Wives  wcie  torn   IVoin   the  sides  of  their  wounded   hus- 
iiaiids,  dau;i;hters  from  their  inotheis, and  violated  in  tiu^ir 
presence.     Kuiuan   natuie   was   shocked    heyoiid   endu- 
limce  at,  the  detested  spectacle;  mothers  claspin:^  their 
helpless  babes  to  their  bosoms,  endeavoured  to  plnnj^e  at 
(Mice  into  the  sea,  as  the  last  sad  relume  of"  despair;  but 
oven  this  was  denied  them;  they  vvcie  driven  back,  and 
ioini)elle<l  to  underujo  what  was  worse  than  ten  thotisand 
(ieatiis.     Was  there  ni)  Jlritish  ollicer,  who,  on  this 'oc- 
casion, felt  for  the  honour  of  his  country,  and  emleavour- 
('(I,  at  the  risk  (if  his  life,  to  save  it  from  this  indelible 
iTproach?     It   seems   there  was   not  one.     The   heait  of 
hiinianity  cannot  till  up  the  disi^uslin;;  picture  widi  it^ 
revolted  particulars.     Would  it  be;  believed,  t'lat  a  sick 
ohl  man,  of  the  name  of  Kirby,  unable  to  i  isi;  from  his 
bed,  was  net  upon  by  these  fiends,  and  murdered  in  the 
aruis  of  his  aj^ed  wife,  wl' a,  because  she  desired  to  re- 
monstrate, received  the  contents  of  a  pistol  in  her  body; 
and,  to  complete  the  sacrilegious  scene,  they  vvuntonly 
and  cruelly  put  to  dcith  their  faithful   dog.     Two  sick 
men  were  n\urdered  in  the  hospital,  the  niedical  stores 
were  destroyed,  all  the  wounded  who  fell  into  their  hands, 
were  not  only  tlenied  medical  aid,  but  even  common  sus- 
tenance, during  two  days,  that  they  thus  threw  aside,  not 
merely  the  character  ot  soldiers,  of  christians,  but  of  men. 
This  picture  is  by  no  means  overcharged.     It  is  found- 
ed upon  the  fullest  evidence  submitted  to  a  committee 
ot  congress,  which   reported   upon   it   in   still    stronger 
terms.    But  the  substance  was  not  denied  by  sir  Sidney 
Bcckwith,  to  whom  it  was  communicated  by  general  Tay- 
lor, and  the  greater  part  actually  acknowledged.    The 


1 

•   : 

,t 

II 

1 

r  1 
> 

j     i 

'!« 


1 

^ 

1  ; 
1 

1 

\^ 

m 

^ 


.:r 


:'^'jm>'^,itgs&^:^,. 


156 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


feelings  of  the  people,  throughout  "Virginia,  were,  if  possi- 
ble, more  excited  on  this  subject,  than  were  those  of  the 
people   of  Keatucky,  at  the  massacres  under  Proctor. 
General  Taylor,  who  commanded  the  station,  addressed 
a  letter  to  sir  Sidney  Beckwith,  conceived  in  that  species 
of  dignified  and  apalling  eloquence,  which  the  feelings 
of  an  honourable  man  alone  can  dictate,  on  the  subject 
of  such  an  outrage,  and  by  which  guilt  is  compelled  to  seek 
for  refuge  in  the  slieltering  meanness  of  falsehood  and  pre- 
varication.    General  Taylor,  after  stating  the  enormities 
of  which  the  I>ritish  troops  had  been  guilty,  desired  to  be 
informed  of  the  nature  of  the  war  intended  to  be  carried 
on  against  the  United  States;  whether  the  scenes  at  Hamp- 
ton had  been  unauthorized  by  the  British  government,  or 
whether  that  government  had  entirely  thrown  aside  the 
ordinary  usages  of  war,  which  govern  civilized  nations. 
"VV^orthless,"  said  he,  "is  the  laurel   steeped  in  female 
tears,  and  joyless  the  conquests   which  have  inflicted 
needless  wo  on  the  peaceful  and  unresisting."    Sir  Sid- 
ney replied,  that  he  was  sorry  for  the  excesses  at  Hamp- 
ton, and  hoped  that,  in  future,  the  war  would  be  carried 
on  witli  as  much  regard  to  humanity  as  possible.    This 
evasive  answei-  was    not  received   as  satisfactory;  otie 
more  explicit  was  required.     He  then  declared  that  the 
excesses  were  coiamitted  in  retaliation,  for  the  conduct 
on  the  pait  of  the  Americans  at  Craney  island,  in  shooting 
at  the  seamen,  who  clung  to  a  barge  which  had  overset. 
Geneial  Taylor  immediately  instituted  a  court  of  inqui- 
ry, which  proved   the  charf^e  to  be  without  foundation. 
On  the  result  being  communicated,  sir  Sid/.cy  did  not 
think  proper  to  give  a  written  reply;  but  promised  ver- 
bally to  withdraw  his  troops  from  the  neighbourhood,  and 
•excused  himself,  on  the  score  of  his  notliaving  been  ac- 
quainted with  the  kind  of  war  to  which  these  men  had 
been  accustomed  in  Spain;  that,  in  fact,  they  could  not 
be  restrained:  but,  he  added,  that  as  soon  as  he  had  found 
them  engaged  in  such  excesses,  he  had  given  orders  for 
them  to  re-embaik.     The  facts  will  not,  however,  support 
the  excuse,  and  there  is  no  criminal  who  has  perpetrated 
the  grossest  crime,  that  cannot  fabricate  as  good.     It  is 
uii[,k'asant  to  implicate  admiral  Warren,  and  sir  Sidney 


Beckwi 

been  in 

more  tl; 

it  with  ] 

of  the  b 

ence  up* 

ter  of th 

or  not,  1 

assertioi 

those  wli 

the  Briti 

iy  were 

country. 

The  S( 

frequent 

lis,  and  1 

\cva\  occ 

much  ha 

enemv,  a 

our  town 

ance,  it  ^ 

of  war,  w 

was  pern 

to  tlie  so 

the  Caro 

which  he 

In  the  be 

Ocracoke 

crossed 

tv\  0  priva 

which,  aft 

revenue  c 

bern,  at  w 

bers,  that 

He  lande( 

Ports  mou 

same  man 

he  return 

slave?,  w'h 

der  a  proi 

in  the  Wt 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


15^ 


Beckwith,  in  this  detestable  affair,  as  their  conduct  has 
been  in  general  of  a  different  character.  This  is  much 
more  the  element  of  Cockburn,  who  doubtless  shared  in 
it  with  peculiar  pleasure.  But  there  was  in  the  conduct 
of  the  two  officers  before  mentioned,  a  shameful  inditier- 
ence  upon  a  subject,  which  so  deeply  regarded  the  charac-* 
ter  of  the  British  government;  if  such  indifterence  be  wise 
or  not,  the  liistory  of  the  world  will  decide.  As  to  the 
assertion,  that  the  scenes  at  Hampton  were  similar  to 
those  which  had  occurred  in  Spain,  it  by  no  means  clears 
the  British  character;  but,  in*  reality,  such  acts  of  atroci- 
ty were  never  perpetrated  in  Spain,  or  in  any  other 
country. 

The  squadron,  durin';  the  remainder  of  the  summer, 
frequently  threatened  tlie  cities  of  Washington,  Annapo- 
lis, and  Baltimore.  Large  bodies  of  militia  were  on  se- 
veral occasions  drawn  out,  and  the  country  inconsequence 
much  harrassed.  This  was  fair  and  justifiable  in  the 
enemy,  and  is  no  subject  of  complaint;  and  had  any  of 
our  towns  been  laid  in  ashes,  while  attempting  a  resist- 
ance, it  would  only  have  been  regarded  as  a  misfortune 
of  war,  which  the  enemy  had  a  right  to  inflict.  Cockburn 
was  permitted  to  pursue  his  own  inclination,  in  moving 
to  tlie  south  with  a  formidable  squadron,  to  carry  on  in 
the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  tlie  same  species  of  warfare, 
which  he  had  so  successfully  practised  in  the  Chesapeake. 
In  the  beginning  of  July,  the  admiral  appeared  oft'  the 
Ocracoke  river,  in  North  Carolina,  and  shortly  after, 
crossed  the  bai-,  and  with  a  number  of  barges,  attacked 
two  private  armed  vessels,  the  Anaconda  and  the  Atlas, 
which,  after  a  gallant  resistance,  were  captured.  The 
revenue  cutter,  then  in  port,  made  her  escape  to*  New- 
bern,  at  which  place  the  militia  assembled  in  such  nuni-. 
bers,  that  the  admiral's  designs  upon  it  were  ffustratcd. 
He  landed  about  three  thousand  men,  then  proceeded  to 
Portsmouth,  and  having  treated  the  inhabitants  in  the 
same  mannei-,  as  he  had  treated  those  of  the  Chesapeake, 
he  returned  with  a  valuable  booty,  and  a  number  of 
slave.-,  who  !iad  been  induced  to  leave  their  masters,  un- 
der a  promise  of  freedom,  but  who  were  afterwards  sol'fl 
in  the  West  Indies. 

14 


4 


ipj^ 


I 


>i><Mmm:.^^M^»im&-st 


158 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


To  the  north  of  the  Chesapeake,  although  these  dis- 
graceful depredations  were  not  committed,  the  coast  was 
not  exempt  from  the  effects  of  war.  A  strict  blockade 
was  kept  up  at  New-York.  The  American  frigates 
United  States  and  Macedonian,  and  the  sloop  Hornet, 
attempted  to  sail  on  a  cruise  from  that  port  about  the  be- 
ginning of  May;  but  finding  the  force  at  the  Hook  much 
superiour  to  theirs,  they  put  back,  and  passed  through 
Hell  Gate,  with  the  intention  of  passing  out  by  the 
Sound.  In  this  they  were  once  more  frustrated;  and 
on  the  first  of  June,  after  another  attempt,  they  were 
chased  into  New  London.  Six  hundred  militia  were 
immediately  called  in  from  the  surrounding  country,  for 
the  protection  of  the  squadron;  commodore  Decatur, 
landing  some  of  his  guns,  mounted  a  battery  on  the  shore, 
and  at  the  same  time  so  lightened  his  vessels,  as  to  en- 
able them  to  ascend  the  river,  out  of  the  reach  of  the  ene- 
my. This  place  was  so  well  fortified,  that  no  attempt 
was  made  upon  it,  but  tlie  blockade  was  strictly  kept  up 
ior  many  months. 

It  is  pleasing  to  contrast  the  conduct  of  commodore 
Hardy,  who  comnianded  the  squadron  north  of  the  Chesa- 
peake, with  that  of  Cockburn.  His  conduct  was  uni- 
formly that  of  a  brave,  humane,  and  honourable  officer, 
a^lthough  he  frequently  landed  on  different  parts  of  the 
coast,  his  deportment  was  such  as  might  be  expected 
from  a  manly  and  generous  enemy.  Such  an  enemy  we 
had  reason  to  dread;  but  the  depredations  of  the  other, 
could  only  tend  to  provoke  the  inliabitants  of  this  coun- 
try, and  to  sink  all  party  feelings  in  tlie  opposition  to  the 
war.  If  the  procedure  of  Cockburn  was  authorised  by 
his  government,  it  was  dictated  by  a  very  mistaken  poli- 
cy, tor  notinng  could  more  effectually  heal  political  dif- 
ferences, and  render  the  war  a  common  cause  v^ith  every 
American. 

An  act  of  congress  had  been  passed  during  the  last  win- 
ter, wiiicli  cannot  be  mentioned  without  feelings  of  re- 
gret. Some  excuse  may  be  found  for  it  in  the  irritation 
produced,  in  consequence  of  the  mode  of  warfare,  which 
the  enemy  had  threatened  to  pursue.  By  this  act,  a  re- 
ward of  half  tile  vessels  destroyed,  was  offered  to  such 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ioi) 


as  should  eftect  the  destruction,  by  any  other  means,  than 
by  the  armed  or  commissioned  vessels  of  the  United 
States.  The  measure  originated  with  the  torpedo  schenu%. 
of  which  so  much  at  that  time  was  said.  There  is  some •• 
fhinj5  unmanly  in  this  insidious  mode  of  annoyance;  it  i:s 
not  justifiable  even  for  defence  against  an  unsparing  foe. 
It  is  but  little  better  than  poisoning  fountains,  and  prepar- 
ing mines.  Valour  can  claim  no  share  in  such  ex])loi(s, 
and  to  the  brave  mind  little  pleasure  can  be  derived  from 
the  recollection  of  having  thus  treacherously  destroyed 
an  enemy.  It  is  forbidden  by  the  same  reason  which  for- 
bids us  to  strike  the  unresisting,-,  because  there  is  no  op- 
portunity of  defence.  The  laurel  which  is  not  fiiirly 
won,  is  of  no  vahie  to  the  real  hero.  It  had  been  in  tlie 
power  of  general  Sinclair,  to  have  poisoned  his  spirituous 
liquors  at  the  moment  of  his  defeat,  and  to  have  des- 
troyed our  cruel  enemy;  but  shame  would  have  followc<l 
the  infliction  of  such  an  injury,  even  upon  savages. 

Several  attcnpts  at  blowing  up  the  enemy's  vessels 
were  made  in  consequence  of  the  law.  Tiie  most  re- 
markable were  those  against  the  Ramilies,  the  admiral's 
ship,  the  other  against  uie  Plantagenet.  Some  time  in 
June,  the  schooner  Eagle  having  been  filled  with  fiour  bar- 
rels, and  containing  a  quantity  of  gunpowder,  had  a  gun- 
lock  fixed  at  the  bottom,  so  contrived  as  to  explode  t!>e 
powder  in  the  attempt  to  unload.  She  was  then  thrown 
m  the  way  of  the  blockading  squadron's  boats;  fortu- 
nately, the  seamen,  instead  of  taking  her  along  side  of  the 
Ramilies,  determined  first  to  take  out  some  of  the  carj>:o; 
in  doing  this,  the  schooner  blew  up,  and  destroyed  seve- 
ral of  the  British  seamen.  The  next  experiment  was 
made  with  the  torpedo,  against  the  Plantagenet,  then  ly- 
ing below  Norfolk.  After  four  or  five  attempts,  in  which 
the  persons  engaged  could  not  come  sufliciently  near  the 
ship,  without  being  discovered,  the  torpedo  was  dropped 
at  the  distance  of  an  hundred  yards,  and  swept  down  by 
the  tide,  and  on  approaching  the  vessel,  exploded  in  the 
most  awful  manner;  an  immense  column  of  wat*"-  "^  ''s 
tlirown  up,  which  fell  with  vast  weight  upon  the  liwc-  *  ^ 
yawning  gulph  was  opened,  in  which  she  appeared  to  ha\  c 
been  swallowed  up.     By  the  light  of  the  explosion,  it  wa« 


:\    :        'ik 


t  ; 


■>y.    I 


.';..* 


fl:--,; 


.'  t' 


•  f'i 


v;^^ 


''^\yf-^'':iS^',.\k>r'X^1l^.:, 


160 


msrOIlY  OP  THE  WAR. 


discovered  that  the  forecastle  had  been  blown  off.  Tlie 
ship's  crew  soon  after  took  to  their  boats,  completely  pa- 
nicK  struck.  Commodore  Hardy  was  justly  indignant 
at  this  attempt,  and  protested  in  strong  terms  against  a 
species  of  annoyance,  which  he  considered  dishonourable. 
It  had  the  effect,  however,  of  compelling  the  enemy  to  be 
"^:trcmely  cautious  in  his  approach  to  our  harbours;  and 
althougli  the  torpedo  system  was  not  afterwards  put  in 
piactice,  the  enemy's  apprehensions  from  it  served  to 
keep  them  at  a  greater  distance.  If  any  thing  could 
justify  this  mode  of  attack,  it  had  been  the  scenes  of 
Hampton,  and  the  deportment  of  Cockburn  and  his  crew: 
but  commodore  Hardy  was  a  generous  enemy,  and  ait* 
rlted  a  different  treatment. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

V.iVul  ist*:ii;  s — l  he  ({ui'iiet  oapturca  the  Peacock — "Wie  SKasujou  (i.-ig-' 

.•  tares  liio  Cb.cfiiipcitke— The  Peliciia  captures  tlie  Aii-his — T'le  En- 

ierj)nz*.'  cai;i.urc'3  the  Boxer — Ci'uise  ot  commodore  Vorter  in  the 

?<oulh  iSffts — Cruise  of  commodore  Rodgers— Of  captain  Sterret — 

The  pi iv»t.r'.'i.'  CIciicral  Armstrong — The  Decatur  captures  tho  Do- 


JiilliU'il. 


It  is  now  liiue  to  return  to  the  affairs  of  oui*  navy.  Our 
vessels  still  continued  to  annoy  the  enemy,  in  spite  of  her 
(housand  ghips,  which  hunted  tliem  in  squadrons  through 
every  sea.  Instead  of  courting  an  engagement  with 
them,  they  studiously  avoided  coniing  in  contact,  where 
their  force  was  not  greatly  superiour.  The  "rir  built  fri- 
sates"  of  America,  had  all  at  once  become  ships  of  the 
line,  and  Great  Britain  razeed  or  cut  down  her  seventy- 
fours,  that  she  might  have  vessels  to  engage  with  ours  on 
equal  terms.  Thus  far  it  was  shown  to  the  world,  that 
the  Americans  might  yield  to  superiour  force,  but  could 
not  be  conquered.  The  United  States  had  now  become 
so  sensible  of  the  importance  of  their  marine,  that  con- 
gress, during  the  last  session,  bad  authorized  the  building 


Tlie 
ily  pa- 
ignant 
ainst  a 
urable. 
y  to  be 
•s;  and 
put  in 
V('(l   to 
;  could 
ines  ot" 
s  crew; 
nd  mt> 


r  in  i?ie 
?teiTet-- 
llio  Do- 


,    Cm 

of  her 

hrough 

+  with 


II 


where 
lilt  fri- 

of  tlie 
iventj- 
)urs  on 
Id,  that 
It  could 

)ecome 
lat  coii- 

uildiiig 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


IGl 


several  additional  vespels,  and  it  was  proposed  to  con- 
tinue to  augment  our  navy  by  annual  appropriations  for 
this  purpose.  This  was  undoubtedly  wise  policy;  for 
whatever  we  have  to  fear  from  a  considerable  standing 
army,  there  can  be  no  cause  of  distrust  of  a  navy.  Be- 
sides, it  is  only  on  that  element,  we  can  come  in  contact 
with  an  enemy  of  consequence.  Fortunately  for  us,  our. 
territory  adjoins  to  that  of  no  power,  from  which  we  need 
apprehend  any  great  danger;  the  colonies  of  England  and 
01  Spain  might  have  reason  to  fear  us,  if  the  genius  of  ouv 
government  were  not  opposed  to  conquest;  but  v.e  liave 
no  cause  to  fear  them.  On  the  ocean,  however,  we  must 
unavoidably  come  in  contact  wit'  other  nations,  as  long 
as  we  pretend  to  have  commerce;  and  without  a  navy,^, 
that  commerce  cannot  be  protected. 

in  the  last  chapter,  on  the  subject  of  our  naval  war,  it 
will  be  recollected,  that  the  Hornet  was  left  to  blockade 
the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  at  St  Salvador.  This  vessel  was 
formally  cliallenged  by  the  Hornet;  but  whether  from 
her  unwillingness  to  risk  the  loss  of  a  quantity  of  specie 
which  she  had  on  board,  or  that  she  was  not  inclined  to 
engage  in  the  combat,  though  of  superiour  force,  she 
thought  proper  to  pay  no  attention  to  the  challenge. — 
Commodore  Bainbridge,  we  have  seen,  had  parted  from 
the  Hornet  at  this  place,  in  order  that  the  Bonne  Citoj - 
enne  might  have  no  excuse  for  declining  the  invitation, 
and  it  will  be  recollected  how  gloriously  ne  met  the  Java 
a  few  days  afterwards.  The  Hornet  continued  the 
blockade  until  the  twenty-fourth  of  January,  when  tlie 
Montague  hove  in  sight,  and  compelled  her  to  escape  in- 
to port.  She  ran  out,  however,  the  same  night,  and  pro- 
ceeded on  a  cruise.  Her  commander  first  shaped  his 
course  to  Pernambuco,  and  on  the  fourth  of  February 
captured  the  tlnglish  brig  Resolution,  of  ten  guns,  with 
twenty-three  thousand  dollars  in  specie.  He  then  r;tn 
down  the  coast  of  Moranham,  cruised  otF  chore  a  sliort  •■ 
time,  and  thence  oil*  Surinam,  where  he  also  cruisetf  for 
some  time,  and  on  the  twenty-second  stood  foi  Demerara; 
The  next  day  he  discovert  I  an  English  brig  oi'  war  lying 
at  anchor  outside  of  the  bar,  and  on  beating  around  Cara- 
buna  Bank,  to  come  near  her,  he   discovered,  at   l^iU 


V.l 

■  I', 

', 

;    » 

,1  '''■ 

,.'y 

1 

h 

1  J  I 


'I'. 


it 


^l 


i--' 


162 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


past  tinec  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  another  sail  ou  hiV 
weather  quarter,  edginj^  down  for  him.  This  proved  to 
be  a  lar^  man  of  war  brig,  the  Peacock,  captain  Peak, 
somewhat  superiour  to  the  Hornet  in  force.  Captain 
Lawrence  nianceuvred  some  time  to  gain  the  weather 
gage,  then  hoisted  the  American  ensign,  tacked  about, 
and. in  passing  each  other,  they  exchanged  broadsides  at 
the  distance  of  pistol  shot.  The  Peacock  being  then  dis- 
covered in  the  act  of  wearing,  Lawrence  now  bore  up, 
received  his  starboard  broadside,  ran  her  down  on  board, 
on  the  starboard  quarter,  and  poured  into  her  so  heavy  a 
fire,  that  in  fifteen  minutes  she  not  only  surrendered,  but 
lioisted  a  signal  of  distress,  as  she  was  literally  cut  to 
pieces,  and  had  already  six  feet  water  rii  her  hold. 

Lieutenant  Shubrick,  whose  conduct  in  this  aftair  was 
not  less  conspicuous,  than  in  the  actions  with  the  Guer- 
riere  and  Java,  was  despatched  to  bring  her  officers  and 
crew  on  board  the  Hornet.  He  found  that  tlie  captain 
of  the  vanquished  vessel  had  been  killed,  the  greater 
^lart  of  her  crew  had  been  either  killed  or  wounded,  and 
ihat  the  vessel  was  sinking  fast,  in  spite  of  every  eftbrt 
(0  keep  her  above  water.  Every  exertion  was  made  to 
lake  off  the  crew  before  the  vessel  sunk;  her  guns  were 
tlnown  overboard,  the  shot  holes  were  plugged,  and  a 
part  of  the  Hornet's  crew,  at  the  risk  oi  their  lives,  la- 
boured incessantly  to  save  the  vanquished.  The  utmost 
efforts  of  these  generous  men  were  vain;  she  sunk  in  the 
midst  of  them,  carrying  down  nine  of  her  own  crew,  and 
liuee  of  the  American.  Thus  did  our  gallant  country- 
men twice  risk  their  lives,  fiist  in  the  cause  of  their  coun- 
try,  and  next  in  the  cause  of  humanity;  first  to  conquer 
riioir  enemies,  and  then  to  save  them.  These  are  action* 
which  unfortunately  fall  too  rarely  to  the  lot  of  the  his- 
torian to  record.  Of  all  our  naval  victories,  this  is  the 
one  which  Americans  recollect  with  most  pleasure; 
and  surely  there  cannot  be  a  higher  proof  of  the  genero*- 
sity  of  feeling  which  predominates  in  the  nation.  The 
new  of  the  Hornet  divided  their  clothing  with  the  pri- 
soners, who  were  left  destitute  by  tlie  sinking  of  the  sliip", 
and  so  sensible  were  the  officers  of  the  generous  treat- 
mep.t,  wliich  they  experienced  from  captaiai  Lawrence 


HISTORY  OF  TffK  W  A«. 


163 


and  his  men,  that  on  their  arrival  at  New- York,  they  ex- 
pressed their  gratitude  in  a  publick  letter  of  tiianks.  "So 
much,"  say  they,  "was  done  to  alleviate  the  uncomforta- 
ble and  (listressinj;  sitnuHon  in  which  we  were  placed, 
when  received  on  board  the  shij)  you  command,  that  we 
cannot  better  express  our  feelinj];s,  than  by  saying,  we 
ceased  to  consider  ourselves  prisoners;  and  every  thinj^* 
that  friendship  could  dictate,  was  adoptetl  by  you  and 
ihe  officers  of  the  Hornet,  to  remedy  the  inconvenience 
we  otherwise  would  have  experienced,  from  the  unavoid- 
able loss  of  the  whole  of  our  property  and  clothes,  by  the 
sudden  sinkinj^  of  the  Peacock."  Tliis  praise  is  worth 
more  than  a  victory. 

The  Hornet  received  but  a  slight  injury;  the  number 
of  killed  and  wounded,  on  board  the  Peacock,  could  not 
be  exactly  ascertained,  but  was  supposed  to  exceed  fifty. 
The  officers  mentioned,  as  having  distinguished  them- 
selves on  this  occasion,  were  lieutenants  Conner  and 
Newton,  and  midshipmen  Cooper,  jMayo,  •(letz,  Smoot, 
Tippet,  Bcerum  and  Titus.  Lieutenant  Stewart  was  un- 
fortunately too  ill  to  take  a  part  in  the  action. 

On  the  tenth  of  April,  a  few  days  after  the  arrival  of 
the  Hornet,  the  Chesapeake,  that  "ill-omened  bark," 
returned  to  Boston,  after  a  cruise  of  four  months.  Her 
commander,  captain  Evans,  having  been  appointed  to 
the  New-York  station,  she  wag  assigned  to  captain  Law- 
rence. 

The  British,  whose  mortification  at  their  repeated  de- 
feats may  be  easily  imagined,  an('i  wlio  regaided  the  repu- 
tation of  their  navy  as  their  great  bulwark,  had  become 
seriously  alarmed.  If  the  charm  of  their  fancied  superi- 
ority on  this  element  were  once  destroyed,  other  nations, 
who  had  now  yielded  to  them  the  palm,  might  conceive  the 
idea  of  conquering  also.  A  fearful  example  was  set  to  the 
Kuiopean  world  by  America.  In  some  recent  rencounters, 
even  tiie  French,  who  had  been  so  unfortunate  in  their 
naval  combats  with  the  British,  had  begun  to  pluck  up 
courage.  Something  must  be  done  to  reti-ieve  their  naval 
character,  Ur  all  their  naval  songs  murrt  be  burnt,  and 
their  naval  boasts  must  be  at  an  end.  A  course  was  nat- 
urally fallen  upon  of  selecting  one  of  tlieir  btst  fii;;.-ites, 


■  v^  •«/"•■(<*!,;.; 


1.04 


lllSlOUY  0\f  TUV.  VVAU. 


mnniUMl  Uy  pirkiMl  H««.iHM«n,  and  oxcrriMtMl  uilh  all  pusHi 
hU»  pjsiiiM,  lor  llu»  Hiicfial  pur|Mme.  Tlioy  tloi^iUMl  (<Mop> 
t'vorv  (hinu;  wlti*  li  in  iralilv,  or  uhicli  Hu»v  J'aiiriiMl,  inr- 
vailod  ill  tlio  AnuMiiai)  ships.  TIumo  was  an  idio  iiiHimi- 
alion,  <lia(  AnxMiraii  l)a('kN\«MHls*iiuMi  wnr  placiMl  in  (he 
tops  lor  {\\r  pnrposo  of  slioolinu;  (ho  ollirn's.  iShaip-shuot 
(MS  \\(M0  now  c;  rornlly  hainod,  and  dircM'ttMl  <o  ami  only 
a*  <h<».  olVuMMS  oC  Iho  AnuMicans.  Thus  pioviih d  wilh  a 
(hoson  sltiu,  and  pirk(Ml  soanuMi,  raplain  nrooko  appiMtr^Ml 
wilh  (ho  slK\nn;»n  uii  (ho  Ainorioan  ooasf.  In  April,  oil 
llos(on  hai  »  '  ;•%  f-^  son(  a  hravailo  (o  (ho  Prosidonf,  loiu- 
modoro  Uo»  -rs,  'ho  happonod  (o  ho  (horo.  On  (he 
twonfv-tltird,  (his  >:>*»»!.  \vi(h  (ho  ('ona,ross,  laplaiii 
J:*mi(h,  sailod  on  a  oruiso:  l)u(  (ho  Siiannon,  (hon  in  <'om- 
])anv  \\\\\\  tho  ToiumIos,  oi(hor  in(on(ionally  avoidod  (hi'in, 
or  hy  aooidont  happonod  (o  bo  on(  of  (ho  way.  The 
Shannon  soinotinio  aflorWards  rolurnod,  and  sont  a  lui- 
n\al  ohalloniio  (o  oap(airi  \-awromo,  who  had  just  (akon 
iho  coitnoanv'I;  (his  was  nnl\)r(una(oly  uM.  roooivod  hy  liini. 
Wo  aro  now  io  rolaie  an  ooourronoo  whioh  impar(s  n 
niolanoiioly  (ini;o  (o  onr  naval  ohroniolo,  thus  far  so  hiil- 
lian(;  an  ocounonco  in  whioh  unoonlrollahlo  foriuno  had 
tho  lari;osf  sliaro;  bn(  in  (ho  midst  of  visi(a(ions  whiili 
till  onr  hoarls  >Ni(h  sorrow,  wo  shall  find  nialtor  ofoonso- 
lation,  almost  a  loconiponso  lor  onr  misforlnno.  ('ap(ain 
Lawronco,  on  arriving;!;  (o  (ako  commami  of  this  ship,  was 
informod  (ha(  a  l<ri(ish  lVi^a(o  was  lyini;  hoforo  (ho  har- 
bour, apparondy  courtina;  a  con»ba(  wi(h  an  Amoricaii, 
l,is(oninj;  «)idv  (o  tlio  diota(os  of  his  ii;onorous  nadno, 
ho  burnod  vith  irnpa(ionoc  (o  moot  tho  onomy,  and  ini- 
fortunatoly  diti  not  snOiciontly  pauso  to  oxamine  wholhcr 
tho  torms  woro  onual.  'i'ho  i2;roater  part  of  the  C'hosa- 
poakoV  crow  had  boon  discharjiod,  odiors  to  supply  their 
plaoos  v.oro  onlistod,  sovoral  of  his  ofticers  woro  sick, 
and  t'lat  kind  of  mutual  conlidonco,  arisinii;  fromaknow- 
lojlgc  of  each  othor,  was  wan(ini»;bo(woen  hiinsoli  and  his 
men.  Hut  ho  could  not  brook  tho  thonii;ht  of  bonii;;  thus 
dofiod.  On  tho  fust  of  Juno  iio  sailod  forth,  rosolvod  to 
try  his  fortune.  W  hon  h«'  came  in  sii:i;ht  of  tho  Shannon, 
he  mad?  a  sliort  address  to  his  crow,  but  found  it  recoivo<l 
with  no  cnihusiasni;  they  murniuiod,  allowing  as  tlie  cau^^n 


g^wgjggp^' ' 


IllsrOUY  OF  TIIK  W  AU. 


l(i^ 


orroninlainl,  i\u\i  (lirii  pri/.o  iixMipy  li.nl  \wi  hrrn  paid;  hr. 
iinnHMlinlcly  ^n\v  Hkmii  tickclH  lor  i(,  jiihI  Miou^;ltf  fiicy 
>v('ip  now  rocoiH  ilcd;  l»n(,  imOMfiuui  riy,  Hiry  wno  at 
tlii«  inoiiiiMif  aliiMwi  In  n  Hfji<i»  id  miHiny.  Hrvrnil  Tor- 
t'iujFUMH,  who  liuil  MccMlciitly  (oiiful  fliiMi'  way  into  Wm* 
{'[v\\,  \\in\  hii(('«m'cUmI  ill  poiHoriiny;  flirir  inirMh.  The* 
hiavo  Lawirricc,  rotiHiilhMl  W\n  own  hrarl,  and  looked 
<Miiv  lothr  riK'niy  wilhonl,  and  r»of  iu  ihc  cnrrny  within< 
The  Shannon,  <»liHnvin;i;  i)u'  ChrHaprakr,  put  to  H(«a, 
ami  waf»  loll o\v«mI  hy  hrr,  AlhalCpjiHt  (ivo,  the  ('hi-sa- 
pcnko  cIohimI  willi  tin*  cnnny,  j»;avr  him  a  broadHidc, 
whii'h  \\'i\H  itIuiihmI,  ripially  <U'rt<nirfiv('  on  hofh  nidrn; 
hiii  tin*  ClurHapcake  was  pai(i(  ularly  unlorlnnatc  •  th}* 
!()MS  of  oirirciH,  the,  Hailinij;  niawlcr,  While,  w»m  kill'  '; 
lieutenant  liallard,  niorlally  wounded;  lieutenanl  rovvfi, 
of  the  nnu'ineH,  and  captain  Lawrence,  hiinse'l',  rtcverely 
wounded:  the  latter  leaned  on  th«'  conipanion-w,  /,  al- 
i})ou[;h  in  p[^vvni  pain,  and  Htill  continued  to  ^i'  -'  orderH. 
A  srcond  and  a  third  broadside  wenr  exchan;,  d,  with 
evident  advantajre  on  the  side  (d'  the  ('henapeake,  hut  the 
suiue  niisrortune.  in  Iohh  of  odieerH  ctuitirmed;  the  lirHt 
lieutenant,  Tiiidlow,  was  carried  helow  sevj-relv  wound- 
(•(!;  three  men  weie  suc^'essivrly  shot  Iroin  the  wheel;  a 
shot  disiiUled  her  foresail,  s(»  tli.jt  she  coidtl  no  lon^^er  an- 
swer her  helm.  Hein^  disahle*!  in  her  ri*:;ji!,infr,  the  (Ihcsa- 
poake  then  fell  with  her  (luarler  on  tlie.  Shatjnon's  an- 
chor. This  accident  may  l)e  considere*!  as  ha  inj;  de- 
cided the  contest;  an  opportunity  was  th(Mi  ^iven  of  nik- 
inj;  the  (/hesapeake,  and,  towards  the  closer  of  the  actiou, 
of  board  in  ju;.  Captain  Lawrence,  although  ,scv(!rcly  wound- 
ed, still  persisted  in  keeping;  the  deck,  now  command- 
ed the  boarders  to  be  called  up;  at  tiiis  moment  a  muskcit- 
hall  entered  his  body,  and  he  was  carried  below,  having 
first  pronounced  these  memorable  words,  which  have, 
become  the  motto  of  the  American  navy,  don't  givk  li* 
THE  SHIP.  The  oflicers  of  the  Chesapeake  were  nearly 
all  killed,  and  the  command  devolved  on  lieutenant 
Budd,  who  called  up  the  men  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
the  order  of  Lawrence  into  execution.  At  this  time  cap- 
tain Brooke,  findinjg;  that  his  vessel  had  rccei\t'd  so  many 
ahots  between  wind  and  water,  that  there  was  danger 


r66 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


of  her  sinking,  and  perceiving  the  confusion  which  reigii- 
ed  on  board  the  American,  and  yet  fearful  that  victory 
might  slip  from  his  grasp,  threw  twenty  of  his  marines 
on  board,  and  immediately  followed  them.  Lieutenant 
liudd  endeavoured  to  shoot  the  vessel  clear  of  the  Shan- 
non; but  being  soon  after  wounded,  and  a  part  of  the 
crew  in  a  state  of  mutiny,  the  scheme  entirely  failed. 
A  number,  however,  still  continued  to  fight  with  unalter- 
able res(>lution:  captain  Brooke  received  a  wound  in  the 
head,  and  was  cariicd  on  boaril  his  own  ship.  Lieu- 
tenant Watt,  who  now  commanded  the  eneniyj  was  sliot; 
but  a  large  reinforcement  coming  to  their  assistance  they 
gained  possession  of  the  deck,  and  soon  after  hoisted  tiiti 
English  flag. 

In  this  sanguinary  conllict,  twenty-three  of  the  enemy 
were  killed;  and  fifty-six  wounded:  among  the  killed, 
her  first  lieutenant,  her  clerk,  and  purser,  and  amongst 
the  wounded  her  captain.  On  board  the  Chesapeake, 
the  captain,  the  first  and  fourth  lieutenants,  tiie  lieu- 
tenant of  marines,  the  mastei,  the  midshipmen  Hope- 
well, Livingston,  Evans,  and  about  seventy  men  killed: 
and  the  second  and  third  lieutenants,  the  chaplain, 
midsliipmen  Weaver,  Abbot,  Nicholls,  Berry,  and  about 
eighty  vaen  wounded.  The  greater  proportion  of  this 
loss  was  sustained  after  the  enemy  had  gained  the  deck. 
The  Biitish  have  been  cliarged  with  a  cruel  and  ungener- 
ous conduct  towards  tlie  vancpiish.ed.  We  could  wish 
that  this  charge  had  been  properly  repelled,  if  not  true. 
It  is  said  that  after  the  Americans  had  submitted,  they 
continued  the  work  of  destruction,  and  that  the  treatment 
to  the  prisoners  was  not  of  that  liberal  kind  which  miglit 
have  been  expected  from  manly  generosity.  The  liber- 
ality of  their  subsequent  conduct,  leads  us  to  wish  that  no 
such  complaints  could  be  made  against  them.  The  bodies 
of  our  naval  heroes,  Lawrence  and  Ludlow,  on  tlieir  ar- 
rival at  Halifax,  were  interred  with  every  honour,  civil, 
naval  and  military,  which  they  could  bestow,  and  no  tes- 
timony of  respect  that  was  due  to  their  memories  was  left 
unpaid.  They  were  afterwards  brought  to  the  United 
States,  by  Mr.  Crowningshield  of  Boston,  who  obtained 
a  passport  JVoui  commodore  Hardy  for  the  purpose,  in  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  W  Alt 


iGr 


vessel  manned  by  twelve  masters  of  vessels,  mIio  volun- 
teered their  services  on  the  occasion. 

The  loss  of  the  Chesapeake  has  been  justh*  attributed 
to  the  accident  of  her  fallins:  on  board  the  Shannon,  and 
to  the  mutinous  state  of  ]\er  crew.  She  was  somewhat 
inferiour  in  force  also,  but  this  ou^ht  not  be  taken  into 
consideration;  fov  until  the  fatal  accident,  the  advantage 
was  decidedly  in  her  favour.  However  this  niay  be,  we 
ran  spare  to  Great  Britain  this  victory,  as  some  slight 
consolation  for  her  former  and  subsequent  drubbings. 
And  never  did  any  victory  produce  sucli  extravagant  re- 
joicing. Not  the  land  victories  of  Wellington  in  Spain, 
nor  even  the  victories  of  Nelson,  called  forth  such  expres- 
sions of  satisfaction;  a  proof  that  our  naval  character 
had  risen  somewhat  in  her  estimation.  In  the  United 
States  it  was  regarded  as  an  accident,  which  proved  no 
superiority  on  the  part  of  the  British,  and  it  was  lamented 
chiefly  for  the  loss  of  our  brave  officers. 

The  tide  of  fortune  seemed  for  a  short  time  in  favour 
of  Great  Britain.  On  the  fourth  of  August,  another  of 
our  national  vessels  was  captured  b}'  the  enemy.  The 
Argus,  after  carrying  out  Mr.  Crawford;  our  minister  to 
France,  in  the  spring  of  1813,  proceeded,  early  in  June,  to 
cruise  in  the  British  channel,  where  she  continued  for 
two  months  to  commit  great  havock  on  the  British  shij> 
ping.  So  much  uneasiness  did  she  cause,  that  the  Eng- 
lisli  mercltants  were  unable  to  effect  an  insurance  on  their 
vessels,  under  three  times  the  usual  premium.  The  Bri- 
tish government  was  induced,  at  last,  to  send  several  ves- 
sels on  purpose  to  chase  off"  this  daring  enemy.  On  the 
fourteenth,  at  four  in  the  morning,  the  Pelican,  a  sloop 
of  war,  of  considerably  greater  force  tlian  the  Argus,  ob- 
tained a  Sight  of  her  by  the  light  of  a  brig  which  the  lat- 
ter had  set  on  fire.  The  Argus  immediately  prepared  to 
receive  the  enemy;  at  five  o'clock  the  action  commenced 
at  the  distance  of  musket  shot,  the  Pelican  having  the 
weather  gage.  At  the  first  broadside  captain  Allen  fell, 
severely  wounded,  but  remained  on  deck  until  several 
broadsides  were  exchanged  when  he  was  carried  below, 
leaving  the  command  to  lieutenant  Watson.  At  half  past 
si-Xj  the  riggiug  of  tlie  Argus  was  so  cut  up,  as  to  rciidev 


M\t 


m  4 


ii 


•*»"ul*pi'*«. 


1G8 


HISTORY  OF  TIIR  WAR. 


her  almost  unmaiia;j;eablo;  the  lieutenant  wafl  severely 
Muniuted  in  the  hea<l,  an. I  the  coniniand  devolved  on 
"William  II.  Allen,  jiin.  who  for  some  time,  with  jj;reat 
exertions,  defeated  tlie  attempts  of  tlic  Pelican  to  ^ain  a 
rakin<>;  position.  At  thirty-live  minutes  past  six,  the  y\r- 
gus  havin*;  lost  her  wlieel  vopes,  and  runninij;  ri^jiinir, 
could  no  ioniser  be  mana'uvrcd,  and  the  IVIican  chost' a 

{position  in  which  none  of  the  p;uns  of  the  Ar^us  could 
\Q  brought  to  bear  upon  her;  she  had  nothing  to  oppose 
to  repeated  raking  broadsides,  but  musketry.  At  lortv- 
seven  minutes  past  six  slie  surrendered,  with  the  loss  of 
six  killed  and  seventeen  wounded;  on  board  the  Pelican 
there  were  three  killed,  an<l  five  wounded.  Caj>tain  Al- 
len died  soon  after  in  Kngland,  together  with  midshipmen 
Delphy  and  I^Mwards,  and  they  were  all  interred  with  the 
honours  of  war.  The  Pelican  was  a  slooj)  of  twenty 
guns,  th'  Argus  of  eighteen,  but  the  victory  in  this  in- 
stance may  be  fairly  awarded  to  the  Knglisn.  Our  olli- 
cers  and  men  did  their  duty,  but  were  compelled  to  sub- 
mit to  a  njore  fortunate  adversary.  Captain  Allen  Mas 
justly  a  favourite  in  this  country,  and  his  death  on  this 
occasion  only  served  to  render  his  memory  the  more  denr 
to  his  countrymen.  To  put  our  ingenuity  to  the  rack  in 
finding  excuses  for  this  defeat,  would  be  but  to  imitate 
the  l^ritish,  who  have  not  allowed  us  a  single  fair  nnml 
victor';,  out  of  at  least  twenty  instances,  in  which  their 
national  tlag  has  struck  to  ours.  If  accidents  may  hap- 
]jen  in  twenty  successive  cases,  why  may  they  not  hap- 
]>en  in  okc  or  two;  but  we  do  not  regard  them  as  such. 

i3y  letters  dated  early  in  July,  news  reached  the  Unit- 
ed States  from  captain  Porter,  who  had  captured  seve- 
ral British  vessels  in  the  South  Seas,  and  was  then  cruis- 
ing with  great  success,  his  crew  in  tine  health.  He  had 
actually  created  a  fleet,  of  nine  sail,  by  means  of  vessels 
captured  on  those  seas,  eight  of  which  had  been  letters  of 
marque;  and  he  was  at  this  time  completely  master  of  the 
Pacific  ocean.  This  may  be  regarded  as  a  novelty  m  na- 
val incidents;  and  there  is  no  doubt,  had  it  benn  per- 
form*^d  by  an  English  naval  commander,  it  would  have 
been  applauded  to  the  skies,  but  in  an  American  it  was 
the  deportment  of  a  buccanier.     By  none  of  our  com- 


mantlcr^ 
coiMMier 
fuse  in  t 
two  line 
rving  be 
board  a  i 
ofMai-cl 
\vbi(  h  ha 
t(/(»k  th( 
oiafing  t] 
TIjIs  is 
(lore  Poi 
caiiicM-. 

'llie  Ti 
con(|uest 
the  side  o 
hrig    Knt 
iVoin  Pord 
On  the  fif 
which  lie 
guns,  stoo( 
I'd.    She  I 
pcrior  to  tl 
file  tiring  < 
After  the 
ternrize  i-ai 
lied  for  twi 
:ind  ciied  f 
as  it  had  bt 
(^nc  killed 
l.iniented  ii 
<^ct'm\,  and 
with  a  noble 
be  struck. 
to  hi  in,  he  < 
breast,  «]  di 
permit  himsi 
«uch  a  death 
sides  in  the 
called  invin( 
souls  never  ( 


lllsroilV  OF  TliK  WAR. 


11)9 


^iifiinliMS  lins  tlieie  been  so  much  injury  done  to  Hri(ih|i 
i'ouMueice;  aujaiiist  iio»ic  of  (hem  have  fhey  been  so  pro- 
fuse in  (heir  invective.  On  the  list  of  his  captures  were 
♦  wo  fine  Kiii^lish  ships,  j)iercc<I  for  twenty  ji^ns,  and  car- 
ryini;  l>etween  them  sixteen;  with  fiftj-nve  men,  and  on 
board  a  considerabh*  sum  in  s|)ecie.  On  tlie  twenty-sixth 
of  March,  he  fell  in  with  a  Spanish  ship,  the  Nereydn, 
\vlii(h  had  been  enu;ai;ed  in  ca|)turinjy;  American  ships;  he 
took  the  liberty  of  throwin*;;  her  i^uns  overboard,  and  lib- 
ciatina;  the  ships  and  pris«»ncrs,  tlie  pirate  had  captured. 
This  is  probably  one  of  the  j»;roun<ls  upon  which  commo 
(lore  Porter  has  been  ciiaru;ed  with  the  conduct  of  a  buC' 


earner. 


The  British  were  not  lon^^  poimitted  to  rejoice  in  the 
con(|uest  of  the  Arj;us;  victory  once  more  letnrned  to 
the  side  of  justice,  "free  trade  and  sailors'  ri;L>;hts."  'I'he 
brij];  Knterpri'/.e,  lieutenant  VVilliarn  Iluirows,  sailed 
from  Portsmouth  on  a  cruise,  al)out  tlie  first  of  September. 
On  the  fifth,  a  large  man  of  war  bii^  was  discovered,  to 
which  he  «»;ave  chase.  The  enemv,  after  firinj;  several 
guns,  stood  for  the  I'literprize  with  several  ensigns  hoist- 
ed. She  nroved  to  be  the  Hoxer,  of  force  somewhat  su- 
perior to  tlie  f'nterpri'/,e.  At  twenty  minules  after  three, 
the  fuin*^  connTienced  on  both  sides,  within  pist(»l  shot. 
After  the  action  had  continued  fifteen  miimtes  the  En- 
terprize  ran;^ed  ahea<l,  and  laked  her,  wiiich  she  contin- 
iictl  for  twenty  minutes,  when  the  enemy  ceased  firin";, 
and  ciied  for  (juarter,  being  unable  to  haul  down  her  tla^»;, 
as  it  had  been  nailed  to  the  mast.  The  Kntcrpri'/,e  had 
one  killed  and  thirteen  wounded,  but  that  one  was  the 
lamented  Burrows.  He  fell  at  the  commencement  of  tlu^ 
action,  and  refused  to  quit  the  de?k,  but  laisinghis  head, 
with  a  noble  spirit,  he  reciuested  that  the  Hag  might  nevei' 
be  struck.  \VI.  n  the  sword  of  the  enemy  was  presented 
to  him,  he  exclaimed  witli  enthusiasn>,  clasping  it  to  his 
breast,  "1  die  cont  'uted;''  and  not  till  then  would  he 
permit  himself  to  be  cairied  below.  Wlio  will  say  that 
such  a  death  is  not  truly  heroick?  while  such  a  spiiit  re- 
sides in  the  breasts  of  our  seamen,  they  n)ay  indeed  be 
called  invincibles;  their  bodies  may  be  subdued,  but  their 
souls  never  can.    The  British  loss  was  much  njorc  con- 

15 


i 


Wi' 


Vi.  I 


^ 


I, 


iW 


■  iH: 


|5il  •>' 


iro 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


siderablc,  but  not  jjroperly  ascertained;  it  is  supposed 
how  ever,  tl»at  between  thirty  and  forty  killed  and  wound- 
ed, anioii<»:  the  former  her  commander,  captain  Blyfhe. 
The  bravado  of  nailing  the  flag  to  the  mast,  is  an  addi- 
tional proof  of  the  terrour  in  which  the  Americans  were 
now  hold  b}  the  enemy,  which  before  affected  to  despise 
them.  The  co?itnvance  of  nailing  the  flug,  was  probably 
b<"rrowed  from  the  Odyssey,  where  Ulysses  caused  him- 
self lo  bo  boiaid  to  the  mast,  that  he  might  escape  the 
•song  of  the  Syrens,  v\  '.lich  even  his  great  wisdom  could 
not  withstand. 

The  two  commanders,  both  promising  youno;  men,  were 
interred  beside  each  other  at  Portland,  with  militaiy  hon- 
ours. The  Bi'itish,  as  usual,  set  themselves  to  work  to 
iletract  from  the  honours  of  this  victory. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  of  8er«tember,  the  President,  coin- 
modore  llodgers,  arrived  at  Newport,  Rhode-Island,  after 
a  cruise  of  unusual  length.  lie  put  to  sea  on  the  thirtii'th 
•of  April,  in  company  with  the  Congress,  captain  Smitii. 
After  cruising  otf  our  coast  without  any  im])ortant  oc- 
currence, tliey  parted  on  the  eighth  of  May,  and  the  com- 
modore s'r.aped  his  course  to  intercept  the  British  West 
India  trade;  but  meeting  with  nothing  in  this  (juarter,  he 
j^tood  towards  tlie  Azores,  where  he  continued  until  the 
sixth  of  June,  without  meeting  any  of  the  enemy's  vessels. 
From  information  which  he  now  received,  he  shaped 
his  course  to  intercept  the  convoy  from  the  West  Indies 
to  EngUunl.  In  this  he  was  not  successful,  but  made  four 
captures,  between  the  ninth  and  thirteenth  of  June,  lie 
next  cruised  in  the  tiack  from  Newfoundland  to  St. 
George's  channel,  but  without  meeting  a  single  vessel; 
being  short  oi  provisions,  he  put  into  North  Bergen  on  the 
twenty-seventh  of  June.  lie  thence  steered  towards  the 
Orkneys,  to  intercept  a  convoy  fiom  Archangel;  but  about 
the  middle  of  July,  when  in  momentary  expectation  of 
metting  with  it,  lie  was  chased  by  a  ship  of  the  line  and  a 
frigate,  for  several  days,  owing  to  the  lightness  of  the 
winds.  He  next  steered  to  gain  the  direction  (»f  the  trade 
passing  out  and  into  the  liisii  channel.  In  this  posi-ion 
he  uuKle  tln-ee  captures;  but  finding  that  the  enemy  had 
a  supcriour  force  near  this,  he  made  a  circuit  round  ire- 


111^1 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


in 


land,  and  then  steered  for  the  banks  of  Newfoundland, 
wliMC  he  made  two  captures.  On  the  twenty-third  of 
September,  he  rajitured,  in  a  singular  manner,  the  British 
schooner  riipjhUyer,  tender  to  admiral  Warren;  on  her 
approach  to  the  President,  she  hoisted  a  private  signal, 
which  was  ic:  idontally  answered  by  one  that  proved  to  be 
the  Britisli  si|\aal  for  that  day;  she  accordinj^ly  bore 
down  and  wdr-  ^-.iptured.  By  this  means  the  British  pri- 
vate signals,  and  admiral  Warren's  private  instructions, 
were  obtained,  and  which  enabled  the  commodore  to 
avoid  their  s(|ua<lrons  on  the  coast.  He  soon  after  ar- 
rived at  Newport. 

The  Congress,  after  parting  from  the  President,  con- 
tinued her  cruise  until  the  twelfth  of  December,  when 
she  arrived  at  Portsjnouth,  New-Hampshire.  She  had 
cruised  chielly  on  the  coast  of  South  America,  and  had 
captured  a  number  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  amongst  oth- 
ers two  armed  brigs  of  ten  guns  each. 

It  has  already  been  said,  that  the  character  of  our  flag 
at  sea,  was  not  merely  supported  by  our  national  vessels; 
there  were  numerous  instances  in  which  our  private  crui- 
sers acquitted  themselves  in  a  manner  to  gratify  the 
piide  of  any  people.  But  the  publick  attention  was  so 
inucli  occupied  with  the  first,  that  the  latter  perhaps  has 
not  received  a  due  share  of  applause.  A  few  instances 
may  be  selected  from  amongst  a  number.  Perhaps  no  ac- 
tion during  the  war  displayed  more  darin^r  courage,  and 
wonderful  superiority  of  seamanship,  than  ine  engagement 
of  the  Comet,  captain  Boyle,  with  a  Portuguese  brig,  and 
three  armed  merchantmen.  After  engaging  them  all 
four,  and  fighting  them  several  hours,  he  compelhMl  one 
of  the  merchantmen  to  surrender,  and  the  brio;  to  sheer 
oft',  although  double  the  force  of  the  Comet.  Tliis  would 
appear  almost  incredible,  if  the  details  were  not  perfectly 
satisfactory. 

On  the  eleventh  of  March,  the  General  Armstrong,  oflT 
Surrinam,  discovered  a  sail  which  she  supposed  to  be  a 
letter  of  marque,  and  after  giving  her  a  broadside,  and 
v/earing  to  give  another,  to  their  surprise  they  found  they 
were  along  side  of  a  frigate,  which  soon  opened  sucii  a 


n* 


u 


n 


p^^wf^wiBfeiiaji^^ 


•17^ 


HISTORY  OK  THE  \\  AR. 


lioavy  fire,  as  would  have  sunk  tlie  schooner,  had  she  not 
succeeded  in  making  her  escape. 

On  tlie  fifteenth  ot  August,  the  privateer  Decatur,  being 
on  a  cruise,  discovered  a  ship  and  schooner;  the  first 
proved  to  be  tlie  British  packet,  the  Princess  Charlotte, 
the  other  the  Britisli  vessel  of  war,  tiie  Dominica.  She  im- 
HJcdiatelj  stood  towards  them,  and  soon  found  herself 
abreast  of  the  schooner.  Both  vessels  continued  to  ma- 
liceuvre  for  two  or  three  hours,  the  Donnnica  endeavour- 
ed to  escape,  and  the  Decatur  to  board;  during  which 
time  several  broadsides  were  fired  by  the  former,  and 
fiome  shot  from  the  large  gun  of  the  latter.  The  Deca- 
tur at  last  succeded  in  boaiding,  a  number  of  her  men 
passing  by  means  of  her  bowsprit  into  the  stern  of  the 
other.  The  fire  from  the  artillery  and  musketi-y  was  now 
terrible,  being  well  supported  on  both  sides.  The  Domi- 
nica  not  being  able  to  disengage  herself,  dropped  along 
bide  of  the  Decatur,  and  was  thus  boarded  by  her  Mhole 
( rew.  Fire  arms  now  became  useless,  and  the  crews 
fought  hand  to  hand,  with  cutlasses  and  cold  shot.  The 
officers  of  the  Dominica  being  all  killed  and  wounded, 
she  was  forced  to  surrender.  As  soon  as  the  combat  was. 
ever,  the  Princess  Charlotte  tacked  about,  and  escaped. 

The  Decatur  was  armed  with  six  twelve-pound  carro- 
nades,  and  one  eighteen  pounder  on  a  pivot,  with  one 
luindred  and  three  men.  Her  loss  was  three  killed  and 
sixteen  \\ounded.  The  Dominica  had  twelve  twelve- 
];ound  carronades.  two  long  sixes,  and  one  brass  four- 
[jounder,  and  one  thirty-two  pound  cari'onade  on  a  pivot, 
with  eighty-three  men.  vShe  had  tiiirteen  killed,  and 
forty-seven  wounded.  The  surviving  officers  of  the  Do- 
minica attributed  the  loss  of  their  vessel  to  the  superioui 
skill  of  the  Decatur's  cre\y  in  the  use  of  musketry,  and 
the  masterly  manoeuvring  of  that  vessel,  by  which  their 
<arriage  guns  were  rendered  useless.  The  captiiin  had 
been  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-five  years  of  age;  lie 
was  wounded  early  in  the  action;  but  he  fought  to  the 
last  moment,  declaring  that  he  would  only  surrender  his 
vessel  with  his  life. 

The  Decatur  arrived  at  Charlestown  with  her  prize  on 
the  t\\  entieth  of  A  ugust.    It  is  pleasing  to  record,  that  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


173 


this  instance  our  brave  tars  did  not  depart  from  their 
accustomed  generosity.  The  surviving  officers  of  the 
Dominica  spoke  in  tlie  highest  terms  of  the  humanity  and 
attention  which  tliey  experienced  from  the  victors. 


found  herself 


CHAPTER  X. 

Affairs  of  the  West— Patriotick  conduct  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky — De- 
fence of  Sandusky^— f»eiierosity  of  tlic  Americans— Naval  i)'rcpara- 
tioiis  on  Lake  Erie — Commodore  Perry  sails  with  his  fleet — Canture 
of  the  enemy's  squadron — Battle  of  the  Thames,  and  death  ot  Te- 
cui>iseh— Correspondence  hetwcen  general  Ilarrisoa  and  general 
Vincent. 

In  the  midst  of  the  various  occurrences  of  the  war,  on 
the  northern  frontier,  on  the  sea-board,  and  on  the  ocean, 
important  preparations  were  making  to  the  westward; 
and  although  the  spring  and  summer  had  passed  away, 
without  any  incident  in  this  quarter  worthy  of  being  re- 
corded, they  had  not  passed  inactive.  The  general  at- 
tention was  now  turned  towards  it  with  much  anxiety, 
and  the  armies  of  the  Niagara  and  St.  Lawrence,  re- 
mained almost  with  fohlcd  arms,  av.aiting  the  issue  of 
Harrison's  campaign,  and  the  result  of  the  contest  for  the 
mastership  of  lake  Erie.  The  British,  aware  of  the  con- 
sequence of  a  defeat,  had  with  great  assiduity  laboured 
to  strengthen  themselves.  The  reinforcements  contin- 
ually arriving  at.  fort  George,  were  evidently  destined 
to  follow  up  the  advantages  which  Proctor  might  gain,  in 
conjunction  with  the  commander  on  the  lake.  In  the 
meanwhile,  in  the  neighbouring  states  of  Kentucky  awl 
Ohio,  the  people  were  excited  in  a  most  surprising  de- 
gree; had  it  been  necessary  they  would  have  risen  en 
masse;  almost  every  man  capable  of  bearing  a  musket, 
was  anxious  to  march.  Tne  governour  of  Ohio  had 
scarcely  issued  his  proclamation,  calling  on  volunteers, 
(for  the  obligations  of  law  to  render  milita?y  service  were 
no  longer  thought  of,)  than  fifteen  thousand  men  present 

15* 


i 


j^^^'^^^WlMliriil^^ 


^*.:5vfei. 


iT'i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WA.1. 


qk\  tlu'ipsclvos,  coinplolely  armed  iuu\  cc.injjpo('-njr.r!^ 
iIkiu  live  tiiiu's  the  iiuiuber  re<|nii\Hl.  The  vrarfvlile  «>;(*. 
venumr  of  Kentucky,  Shelby,  a  revolutioMJiry  hen>,  and 
the.  Nestor  of  tlie  present  war,  nuulc  it  known  <hat  \u' 
would  put  himself  at  tlie  head  of  the  injuietl  citi/.eiis  ol 
that  state,  and  lead  (hem  to  seek  revenj^e  for  the  niuidt" 
of  their  relatives  an<l  IViends;  but  Innited  tluMunnbor  of 
voluiiteers  io  four  thousand.  The  slj\te.  of  Kentuci  y, 
called  l)y  the  natives,  "the  dark  and  bloody  ground," 
l'(uty  years  a2;o  was  an  uninhabited  forest,  possessed  hv 
no  tribe  of  Indians;  but  from  time  immemorial  (he  thea- 
tre of  sani>;uinary  wnrs.  At  (his  day,  it  blooms  beneath 
the  hand  of  agric  ulture.  It  is  fdleil  witji  beautiful  towii;^ 
;ind  villages;  and  is  the  abode  of  peace,  opulence  and  re- 
linemern.  The  inhabitants  are  descended  from  tne  phui- 
ters  of  V'irginia  and  North  (Carolina,  nnd  emi5i;rants,  com- 
posed of  the  enterpri.-ing  and  intelligent  of  the  odicr 
states.  Living  in  abundance  and  at  their  ea.>e,  nvA  m( 
remote  from  the  seats  of  commerce,  they  have  imbiiiid  less 
of  foreign  attachments  or  feelings,  than  any  cf  our  people; 
and  are  perhaps  more  enthusiastically  devoted  to  the  iiisti- 
lutions  of  freedom.  They  have  not  a  little  of  the  manners 
of  chivalry  in  their  generous  and  hospitabl  'cportment. 
Fearless  of  danger,  regarding  dishonour  more  than  <leat]i, 
but  with  these  <(uaUties,  a  benevo\?nce  and  humanity, 
which  has  scarcely  a  ])aralh''  Had  the  elder  brethren  of 
our  confedeiacy  acted  like  ilii-i  younger  member,  the  Caii- 
adas  would  have  been  ours,  .inii  Hritain  would  never  have 
dared  to  insult  us  with  her  unwarrantable  pretensions. 

The  transactions  which  are  now  to  be  related,  may 
justly  rank  amcmgst  the  most  pleasing  to  oui-  feelings  and 
national  pride,  of  any  which  took  place  during  tlie  cou- 
(esv..  The  campaign  opened  with  an  aftair,  which,  though 
comparatively  of  smaller  consequence  than  some  others, 
is  in  its  ( iccumstances  one  of  the  most  brilliant  that  oc- 
curred during  the  war.  This  was  the  unparalleled  de- 
fence of  fort  Sandusky,  by  a  youth  of  twenty-one  years 
of  :r>;e.  In  Ai;gu«t,  jfnd  before  the  arrival  of  the  ^hio 
and  Kentucky  volunteers,  which  did  not  take  place  until 
f'le  fuUowjng  n.onth,  threatening  movements  had  been 
made  \!pon  all  the  ditterent  forts,  established  by  the  Ain^' 


r^ti 


m-' 


HISTORY  OF  TIIR  \^  A^v» 


175 


r^!^-i 


VC'il'V-vIn*'  ";w- 

ury  l\oi(),  and 
cii'owu  ll»;vt  lie 

"or  the  nuutlc 

tl\o  number  of 

of  KcMilucVy, 

ooily  p;rouiul," 

i,  ])(»ss<.'-^so(l  by 

jovial  the  tho.v 

)lo()>us  l)eneatK 

HMutii'ul  towns 

)nlonce  iiiul  re- 

I  IVoni  t'ne  plan- 

'iuJ'i;rar.1;S  c-jm- 

it  of  tlie  olhrv 

ca 'Pj  5\nd  in( 

ive  imbi'.Vwil  less 

;y  cf  our  people; 

ttedto  theiustl- 

of  U'.e  manners 

[bl     'icporimeut. 

jiore  than  <leath, 

f  luul  humanity, 

kler  bretlneu  ot 

eiuher,  tlie  Cau^ 

louhl  never  have 

|)retenslons. 
jc  related,  may 
Lur  teelings  and 
iuriiij^  tliecon- 
r,  which,  thou-li 
in  some  others, 
rlUiaiit  that  oc- 
JMparalleled  de- 
'entv-o!ie  years 
al  of  the  '^hio 
ake  place  until 
IrmUs  had  been 
ed  by  ih^  A»i^>^ 


ricans  on  the  rivers  whirh  fall  into  lake  I'irio.  vVHer  the 
siei;"  of  fort  Meijis,  th<'  IJritish  had  beeri  considciably 
reiniorced  by  rei;,u!ars,  and  an  unusual  nundKU-  ot  Indians, 
under  their  j:;re;j  leader  Tecumseh.  It  wiis  all-important 
to  revluce  these  torts  before  tlie  arrival  of  the  volunleers. 
Major  ('ro;L!;han,  then  connnandin'^"  at  Upper  Sandusky, 
havinj;  received  intimation  tluil  the  etUMuy  vvei'e  about  to 
invest  the,  fort  <d'  flower  Sandusky,  had  nuirched  to  this 
pliice  ui(h  some  additi<mal  f(»rce,  atid  had  been  occupied 
with  i!;reat  assidiiity  in  ])lacin<;'  it  in  the  best  posture  of 
defence.  15ut  the  only  ad<lition  of  importance,  which  tlic 
time  would  allow  him  to  nwike,  was  a  ditch  of  six  feet 
deej)  ami  nine  t'eet  wide,  outside  the  stockade  of  pickets, 
bvwh.ich  these  hastily  constructed  ft»rts  are  enclosed,  but 
uhi<h  can  alt'ord  but  a  weak  defence  au;ainst  artillery, 
lie  liad  but  (uie  six  pounder,  and  about  one  hundred  ancl 
si\(y  men,  consisting;-  of  rejQ;ulars,  and  detachments  of  the 
Pittsburgh  and  Petersbur^h  volunteers.  General  Hairi- 
son,  not  conceiving'  it  practicable  to  defend  tlu'  jdace,  or- 
dered youn«j;  Croi;;han  to  retire  on  the  apjuoach  of  the 
enemy,  after  having  destroyed  the  works.  Tiiis  our 
Vdunj;-  hero,  taking  the  responsibility  upon  himself,  de- 
termined to  disobey. 

On  the  first  of  Aui»;ust,  general  Proctor,  havin;i;  left  a 
lar^'e  bo<ly  of  Indians  under  Tecumseh-  to  keep  up  the 
uppearance  of  a  sie^e  of  fort  Meiju;s,  arrived  at  Sandusky 
vvith  about  live  hundred  regulars,  seven  liundted  Indians, 
and  some  j>,unboats.  After  the  general  \r\i\  made  such 
(lis])ositi(ms  of  his  troops,  as  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the 
i^arrisoUjhe  sent  a  Hag  by  cohjucl  Elliot  and  nwijor  ('hani- 
bers,  denumdin*^  a  surrender,  accomp'anied  witli  tlie  usual 
ba?^«e  and  detestable  threats  of  butcherv  and  cold  blood 
uwursacre,  if  the  jj^arrisorv  should  hold  out.  A  spirited 
answer  was  returne<l  by  Croghan,  \^. ho  found  tiiat  all  liis 
companions,  chielly  striplings  like  iiimself,  would  support 
bim  to  thf*  Inst. 

When  tlie  flag  returned,  a  brisk  fire  was  opened  from 
tlie  gunboats  and  a  howitzer,  and  which  was  kej.t  up 
durin;^  the  night.  In  the  mornini*;,  they  opened  with 
three  sixes, 'yvhich  had  been  planted  uiider  co\','r  of  the 
■!iii;ht,  within  two  hun<lred  and  fifty  yards  (d"  tlie  picket  s 


i 


^^mmmmmvfm^ 


«»# 


1 

!■ 

::pmi^ 

i 

t 

4 

•  1 

1 

';-|':ST^>-"-'- 

1 

4 

.  '    ''         !-■■• 

;"^ 

176' 


nisroRv  OF  the  war. 


but  not  vvitli  much  oftVct.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  af- 
teriioou,  it  was  discovtM'cd  that  the  eiuMuy  IkuI  concen- 
trated Ids  lire  aj^ainst  the  northwest  an^ie,  with  tl»e  in- 
tention of  making  a  breach.  This  part  was  innncdiately 
stren«;thened  by  the  apposition  of  ba^s  of  llour  and  sand, 
so  that  tlie  pickets  suliered  but  little  injury.  During  this 
time,  the  six  pounder  was  carefully  concealed  in  the  i)as- 
tion,  which  covered  the  point  to  be  assailed,  and  it  was 
loaded  with  sluj^s  and  i;rape.  About  live  hundred  of  the 
enemy  now  advanced  in  close  column  to  assail  the  part 
where  it  was  supposed  the  pickets  must  have  been  injured: 
at  the  same  time  makinj;  several  feints,  to  draw  tlie  at- 
tention of  the  besieaed  to  other  parts  of  the  fort:  their 
force  being  tluis  divided,  a  column  of  three  hundred  and 
iiUy  men,  which  were  so  enveloped  in  smoke  as  not  to 
be  seen  until  thev  approached  witlnn  twenty  paces  of  the 
lines,  advanced  rapidly  to  the  assault.  A  hre  of  muske- 
try fr(Mn  the  fort,  for  a  moment  threw  them  into  confu- 
sion, but  Mere  then  (juickly  rallied  by  colonel  Short,  their 
connnn?ider,  who,  now  sprin^^in'jj  over  the  outer  works  in- 
to the  ilitch,  commanded  the  rest  to  tollow,  cryin,<»;  out, 
the  d d   Yankees   n     nuarter!"     Scarcely  had 


jvive 


these  de\v  stable  words  escaped  his  lips,  and  the  jjreater 
part  of  ills  followers  landed  in  the  ditch,  when  the  six 
pounder  opened  upon  them  a  most  destructive  fire,  kill- 
ing and  woundini>;  tlie  greater  part,  aiid  amongst  the  first, 
the  w rotchc'i  leader,  who  was  sent  into  eternity,  before 
his  words  had  died  upon  the  air.  A  volley  of  musketry 
was,  at  the  same  time,  fired  upon  those  who  had  not  ven- 
tuied.  The  olficer  who  succeeded  Short,  exasperated  at 
being  ilv.'^'^  treated  by  a  few  boys,  formed  his  broken  co- 
luiniv,  and  ngain  rushed  to  the  ditch,  where  he,  and  tliose 
who  i«.ire<l  to  follow  him,  met  with  the  same  fate  as  their 
felUnv  so'dier!-  The  small  arms  were  again  played  on 
them,  tlie  w'lok  British  force  was  thrown  into  coidusion, 
and  in  s)r(e  of  «he  exertions  of  their  oflicers,  tied  to  the 
woods,  almost  panick  struck,  whither  they  were  soon  fol- 
lowed by  '\\Q  Indians.  Thus  were  these  men,  confi- 
ck^ut  of  success,  and  detestable  in  the  intended  use  of 
victory,  most  signally  chastise^i,  under  Providence,  by  a 
force  scarce  a  tenth  of  their  numbers.    Terrour  indc- 


'IISToiiv  OP  Tin.;   \VAI!. 


■'S<'ljl).ll»le  took    I  WW..        • 

"'7;;  ;'/'>■■-.  .n  M,ii,.„  sii.t'e     "  "'"^  '''•■''  '■"""*<"'  5>; 

"'«  /-nu-.,.  or  ..very  fr  .,,',,  "'  •  '"'  ^'^''^fi't  .I,.,,.,,    "s 
n;'"  <;n.sn,,,!.  -Icserv,.        I        "'"""'.O'-     'Hk'  scene  ivl.id 

"«nle,l  bv  .nePcil..  Vf,  .'   '    :"'""^'"     <l'."  tl.cv  l,,„l  |,eeu 
"■■«!,»ul.  'eoa,,!,-,,.',!  ;7.^;"'^«""^lit  ...  n,as;,tere  the-' 

"'-/"•     i.'Je  loss  .,r,||,.  „.„•'•''  '•■'"'  """e  time  in  ((,e 
»;"  «-ven  wonn.le,!;    !  ,i''  ,'  :""  "^"™"*.'<l  to  «„e  killed 

:'  <-■-'  (vvo  iHM,,!,.;r''  ^V;':,*:''' r'T; '^ '-^  ■^"i'i"..se<i.  „ 

"at  t  he  ene„,y  |,a,|  l,as  ti  y  ,11'  f 'rf''"''-  ""'^  '"'""in" 
"'"SKleiable  quantity  .P„|f.f"'"''  ''-""^i-'g  a  boat  an.l  a 
seventy  stand  of  ari^f,  1  '"'^  f  "•'''*'•  l^pwai-l,,  „? 
a-nmunili,,,,.  The  Z^^^'!^"'  '"''^'^  <^ '  uanti,]-  o  f 
•lav.m  bu,yin„.  the  ,1  'll  I  f  i^"**, ''''g''SeJ  durin.-  the 
P™y''.!i"g  for  tf^e  woumie,'      "'  ""^  ''""""■'^  "^  war!  and 

in  ti'e^U,t:i',S?rt:^  ''^'^  -••>-»<!««  or  every  pa„y 
.('■^nio..^.  oantain  H    ,-t,,^™f  7.''  '"Se'her  with  ul^'Zl 

•"'fnfj-fourfh:  ai  d  ensL     l^"      ""''  -^""'ony,  ^f  Z 
'-"oenth,  toge?  or  w   i^^^e  oh''  "',«  ^'""'"-  "^  <"  «    e 
>HTe  l„o.|,,     c«,„„li,,,e,,e  ',"'?'■  "'^''''^ •''"''  volunteers 
«ar,ls  receiye,l   the  tJrnW- V"'  =*""^''''-     '^'liey  after- 

-"'«'^  "-"  -  elegant  ^"o.^ It^fc'i^cliKr 


W- 


I 


''^^^iil^i'^^t^tt^AMttli^, 


'i)(bjl.te^'i 


78 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


'1^ 


I  ■ 
( 


\i- 


^ 


Soon  after  this  afliiilr  Tecumseh  raised  the  sioi^e  of  fort 
Mei<;8,  and  followed  Proctor  to  Detroit;  all  iiope  was 
wlveii  U|)  by  tlie  enemy  of  reducing  these  forts,  until  they 
could  gain  the  ascendency  on  the  lake. 

The  utmost  exertions  had  !)('cmi  made  in  the  meanwhile, 
by  captain  Perry,  to  complete  the  naval  arujumeiit  on 
lake  Erie.  By  the  fourth  of  August,  the  fleet  was-  com- 
pleted; but  several  of  th.e  vessels  were  with  dilHculty 
got  over  the  bar,  on  wliich  there  are  but  live  (eet  water. 
fie  sailed  in  quest  of  the  enemy,  but  not  meeting  him,  re- 
turned on  the  eighth,  and  after  receiving  a  reinfoicement 
of  sailors,  brought  by  captain  Elliot,  si; i led  again  (tn  the 
twelfth,  and  on  the  Hfteenth  anchored  in  the  bay  of  San- 
dusky. Here,  aftei  taking  in  about  twenty  volunteer 
marines,  he  again  went  in  quest  of  the  en'.'my;  and  after 
cruising  off  Maiden,  returned  to  Put-in-Kay,  a  distance 
of  thirty  miles.  His ileot  consisted  of  the  brig  Lawrence, 
of  twenty  guns;  the  Niagara,  captain  [''liiot,  of  twenty; 
the  Caledonia,  lieutenant  Turner,  three;  {\{(i  schooner 
Ariel,  of  four;  the  Scor]non,  of  two;  the  8omers,  of  two, 
and  two  swivels;  tlie  sloop  Trij)p!*,  and  schooners  Ty- 
gress  and  Porcupine,  of  one  gun  each;  making  a  Meet  of 
nine  vessels  and  fiftv-four  iiuns.  On  the  morniui;'  of  the 
tenth  of  September,  the  ejiemy  was  discovered  bearing 
d(.iv/n  upo-a  the  American  squadron,  which  imincdiately 
got  under  weigh,  and  stood  out  to  meet  him.  The  supe- 
riority was  decidedly  in  fivour  of  the  Britisli;  the  Amer- 
icans had  three  moie  vessels,  but  this  was  much  more 
than  counterbalanced  by  the  size  of  those  of  the  enemy, 
and  the  number  of  their  guns.  Their  fleet  consisted  of 
the  Detroit,  captain  Barclay,  of  nineteen  guns,  and  two 
howitzers;  the  Queen  Charlotte,  of  seventeen  guns,  captain 
Finnis;  the  schooner  Lady  Pre  vest,  lieutenant  Buchan, 
of  thirteen  guns,  and  two  howitzers;  the  brig  Hunter,  of 
ten  guns;  the  sloop  Little  Belt,  of  three;  and  the  schoon- 
er Chippewa,  of  one  gun  and  two  swivels;  in  all  six  ves- 
sels and  sixty  three  guns. 

When  the  Americans  stood  out,  the  British  fleet  had 
the  weather  gage;  Dut  the  wind  soon  after  changed,  and 
brought  the  American  fleet  to  windward.  The  line  oi 
totle  was  formed  at  eleven,  and  at  tifteea  minutes  b '- 


iO!:;e  of  fort 
I  hope  was 
,  until  they 

moanwliile, 
•iiuiinont  on 
't  was'  com- 
i\x  ilillkulty 
I  feet  water. 

ting  hi»^^.  »'e- 
■irifiJicenient 

a^aiu  on  the 
J  bay  of  San- 
ty  voiunteer 
ly;  ami  after 
ly,  a  distance 
•i"-  Lawrence, 
)t%f  twenty; 
the  schoauer 

choonefs  Ty- 
king  a  lleet  of 
konruifj;  of  the 
Ivered  bearing 
iniiiictllately 
^1.    The  supe- 
.h;  the  Anier- 
s   much  more 
of  the  enemy, 
.t  consisted  of 
tuns,  and  two 
h  guns,  captain 
uaut  Buchan, 
r-io-  Hunter,  ot 
fuftlieschoau- 
I  in  all  six  ves- 

Itish  fleet  had 

changed,  and 

The  linti  ^'^ 

Li  minutes  b'- 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  M  AR. 


iri) 


fure  (welve,  tlie  enemy's  f!a;j;  ship,  the  Queen  Charlotte, 
()|)ene(l  lier  lire  upon  the  Lawrence,  whicli  she  sustained 
fur  ten  minutes,  before  she  could  ap])roach   near  enough 
for  iicr  carronades   to  return.     S!>e  thei'efore  bore   up, 
making  signals  for  the  other  vessels  to  hasten  to  her  sup- 
port, and  about  twelve,  brought  her  guns  to  bear  upon  the 
enemy.     Unfortunately,  the  wind  being  ton  lii:;ht,  the  re- 
mainder of  the  scjuadron  could  not  be  brought  up  to  her 
assistance,  and  she   was  compelled  to  contend,  for  two 
hours,  with  two  ships  of  ecpjal  force.     The  contest  was, 
notwithslanding,  kept  up  with  unshaken  courage,  and  a 
(iejrree  of  coolness  wnich  deserves  the  hia;hest  admiration. 
By  this  time  the  brig,  which  had  so  long  borne  the  brunt 
ot*the  whole  of  the  British  force,  had  become  entirely  un- 
manageable; every  gun  was  dismounted,  and,  with  the 
exception  of  four  or  live,  her  whole  crew  either  killed  or 
wounded.     Perry  now,  with  admirable  presence  of  inind, 
and  which  drew  forth  the  praise  of  the  gallant  ofticer  to 
whom   lie  was  opposed;  resolved  to  shift  his  flag,  leaped 
into  his  boat,  and  heroically  waving  his  sword,  passed 
unhurt  to  the  Niagara.     At  the  moment  he  reached  the 
Niagara,  he  saw  with  anguish  the  flag  of  his  ship  come 
down;  she  was  utterly  unable  to  make  futtlier  resistance, 
and  it  would  have  been  a  wanton  waste  of  the  remaining 
lives,  to  continue  the  contest;  the  enemy  was  not  able 
to  take  possession  of  her.     Captain  Elliott,  seconding  the 
design   of  the^  commodore,  volunteered  to  bring-  up  the 
rest  of  the  fleet;  for  at  this  critical  moment  the  w  ind  had 
providentially  increased.     Perry  now  bore  <lown  upon 
the  enemy  with  a  fiesh  ship;  and  passing  ahead  of  the 
Detroit,  Queen   Charlotte,  and  Lady  Prevost,  poured  a 
destructive  broadside  into  each  from  his  starboard,  and 
from  his  larboard  into  the  Chippewa  and  Little  Belt.     In 
this  manner  cutting  through  the  line,  he  was  within  pis- 
tol shot  of  the  Ladv  Prevost,  which  received  so  iieavy  a 
fire  as  to  compel  her  men  to  run  below.     At  this  moment 
the  f'aledonia  came   up,  and    opened   her   fire;  several 
otiitTs  of  the  squadron  were  enabled  soon  after  to  do  the 
same.     For  a   time,   this    novel   and    important  combat 
niingkHl  with  indescribable  violence  and  fury.     The  issue 
of  a  campaign,  the  m^istery  of  a  sea,  the  glory  and  rc- 


.''I 

hi* 


1.1 


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■;■( 


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ISO 


lIlSrORY  OF  THK  WAU. 


nowii  of  two  rival  nations,  matched  for  the  firnt  time  iu 
s(juajlron,  where  the  incentives  to  the  contest.  But  it 
was  not  h)n^  before  the  scale  turned  in  favour  of  Perrv, 
and  Ids  sliip,  the  Lawrence,  was  aij;ain  enabled  to  hoist 
lier  llai^.  Tlie  Queen  (Charlotte,  havinj;  lost  her  captain 
and  all  the  principal  odicers,  by  some  mischance  ran  foul 
of  the  Detroit,  and  the  j^reater  part  of  the  guns  of  both 
ships  were  rendered  useless.  They  were  now  compelled 
to  sustain,  in  turn,  an  incessant  fir«  from  the  Niaj^ara, 
and  the  other  vessels  of  the  scpiatlron.  The  flag  of  cap- 
lain  Barclay  was  soon  after  struck,  and  those  of  the 
Q'leen  Charlotte,  ihc  Lady  Prevost,  the  Hunter,  and  the 
Chippewa,  came  down  in  succession:  the  Little  Belt  at- 
tem])ted  to  escape,  but  was  pursued  by  two  gunboats  and 
captured. 

Thus,  after  a  contest  of  three  hours,  was  this  unparal- 
leled naval  victory  achieved,  in  which  every  vessel  of  the 
enemy  was  captured,  the  rirst  occurrence  of  the  kind  ever 
recorded.  If  any  thing  could  heighten  this  glorious  vic- 
toiy,  it  was  the  modest  yet  sublime  manner  in  which  it 
was  announced  by  the  incomparable  Perry;  we  have 
MKT  THE  ENRMY,  AND  THEY  ARE  ouiis.  Britain  had 
been  beaten  in  single  combat;  she  was  now  beaten  in 
squadron,  where  s!ie  had  conceived  herself  invincible. 
Tlie  loss  in  this  bloody  affair,  was  very  great  in  propor- 
tion to  the  numbers  engaged.  The  Americans  had 
twenty-seven  killed  and  ninety-six  wounded;  amongst 
the  flrst,  V. ere  lieutenant  Brooks,  of  the  marines,  and 
midshipmen  Laub;  amongst  the  latter,  were  li  'utenant 
Ya»nell,  sailinu;-master  Taylor,  purser  Hamilton,  and 
midshi]>men  Claxton  and  Swartwout.  The  loss  of  the 
Bi'itish  was  about  two  hundred  in  killed  and  wounded, 
and  the  number  of  |)nsoners  amounted  to  six  hundred, 
exceeding  the  whole  number  of  the  Americans.  Com- 
modore Barclay,  a  gallant  officer,  who  had  lost  an  arm  at 
the  battle  of  Trafalgar,  was  severely  wounded,  and  the 
loss  of  olFicers,  on  the  side  of  the  British,  Mas  unusually 
great.  Among  the  oificers  particularly  spoken  of  on  this 
occasion,  were  captain  Elliot,  lieutenants  Turner,  Ed- 
wards, Forest,  Clark,  and  Cummings,  besides  those  al- 
ready mentioned. 


•■'■■"^T''    """' 


^  y«iiw  iiy 


HISTORY  OF   rilK  WAR. 


181 


ii'st  time  iu 
.ftt.    But  it 
ir  of  Perrv. 
ietl  to  hoist 
her  captain 
\ce  ran  foul 
■una  of  both 
V  conipcUed 
he  Niagara, 
flag  of  cap- 
hose  of  \\\e 
iter,  and  the 
ittle  Belt  at- 
^unboats  anil 

this  unparal- 
vesscl  of  the 
the  kind  ever 
i  glorious  vic- 
r  in  which  it 


Never  was  any  event  received  with  such  unbounded 
demonstrations  of  joy.  All  party  teelings  were  (or  a 
moment  forgotten,  and  this  «i;lorious  occurrence  celebrat- 
f'tl  bv  illuminations  and  festivals,  from  one  end  of  the 
( ontinent  to  the  other. 

It  is  highly  gratifying  to  know,  that  the  treatment  of 
the  British  prisoners  was  such,  as  to  call  forth  their 
thanks.  Captain  Barclay  declared,  that  "the  conduct 
of  commodore  Perry  towards  the  captive  officers  and 
jnen,  was  sufficient,  of  itself,  to  immortalize  him." 

We  were  now  masters  of  the  lake;  but  our  territory 
was  still  in  the  possession  of  Proctor.  The  next  move- 
ment would  be  against  tlie  British  and  Indians  at  De- 
troit and  at  Maiden.  General  Harrison  called  on  a 
portion  of  the  Ohio  militia,  wliich  had  been  embodied; 
and  on  the  seventh,  four  thousand  Kentuckians,  the  Hower 
of  the  state,  with  their  venerable  governour,  Isaac  Shel- 
hy,  the  hero  of  king's  mountain,  at  their  head,  arrived  at 
Harrison's  camp.  With  the  co  operation  of  the  tleet,  it 
was  determined  to  proceed  at  once  to  Maiden:  and  at 
the  same  moment,  colonel  Johnson  was  ordered  to  pro- 
ceed with  a  body  of  Kentuckians  to  Detroit.  These  ac- 
cordingly marched;  but  on  approaching  the  river  Raisin, 
where  those  scenes  of  horrourhad  been  acted,  the}^  halted 
sometime  to  contemplate  the  tragick  spot.  The  feelings 
wliich  they  experienced  on  this  occasion,  cannot  be  de- 
scribed; many  of  them  had  lost  their  friends  and  rela- 
tions, whose  bones  they  now  gathered  up,  after  in  vain 
attempting  to  distinguish  them;  and  theiefore  consigned 
them  to  a  common  grave,  with  the  most  affecting  demon- 
strations of  grief. 

On  the  twenty-seventh,  the  troops  were  received  on 
board,  and  on  the  same  day  reached  a  point  below  Mai- 
den. The  British  general  had  in  the  meanwhile  destroy- 
ed the  fort  and  publick  stores,  and  had  retreated  along 
the  Thames,  towards  the  Moravian  villages,  together  with 
Tecumseh's  Indians.  A  number  of  females  came  out  to 
implore  the  protection  of  the  American  general,  as  tliough 
it  had  been  necessary:  general  Harrison  had  given  order  s 
that  even  Proctor,  ii  taken,  shouUl  not  be  hurt;  nay  the 
dwelling  of  the  obnoxious  Elliot,  was  not  even  touched 

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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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HlSrORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I', 


by  the  maj^nanimoiis  Kentuckians,  who  had  been  repre- 
sented by  iProctor  as  savages. 

It  was  now  resolved  by  Harrison  and  Shelby,  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  in  pursuit  of  Proc!:or.  On  tiie  second 
of  October,  they  maiched  with  about  three  thousand  five 
hundred  men,  selected  for  the  purpose,  consistinfl;  of  co- 
lonel Ball's  dragoons,  colonel  Johnson's  regiment,  and 
other  detachments  of  governour  Shelby's  volunteers. 
The  heroick  Perry  accompanied  general  Harrison,  as  a 
volunteer  aid.  They  moved  with  such  rapidity,  that  they 
cncan^ped  the  first  day  at  the  distance  of  twenty-six 
miles.  The  next  day  they  captured  a  guard,  by  whom 
they  learned  that  Proctor  was  not  aware  of  their  ap- 
proach, but  had  sent  to  destroy  the  bridges.  On  the 
fourth,  they  were  detained  some  time  by  a  deep  creek, 
the  bridge  over  which  had  been  partly  destroyecl;  and  a 
number  of  Indians  commenced  an  attack  from  the  oppo- 
.site  bank,  but  were  dispersed  by  colonel  Johnson,  and  the 
artillery  of  major  Wood,  while  the  bridge  was  repaired. 
On  the  other  side,  they  captuied  two  thousand  stand  of 
arms;  the  houses  containing  the  enemy's  pu'plick  stores, 
together  with  several  vessels  were  on  fire.  On  the  fifth, 
the  pursuit  was  renewed,  when,  after  capturing  some 
property  to  a  considerable  amount,  they  reached  the  place 
were  the  enemy  had  encamped  the  night  before.  Colo- 
nel Johnson  was  sent  forward,  to  reconnoitre  the  British 
and  Indian  forces;  and  he  very  soc  i  returned  with  infor- 
mation, that  they  had  made  a  stand  a  few  miles  distant, 
and  were  ready  for  action.  They  were  drawn  up  across 
a  narrow  strip  of  land,  covered  with  beach  trees,  and 
hemmed  'n  on  one  side  by  a  swamp, 'and  on  the  other  bv 
the  river;  their  left  rested  on  the  river,  supported  by 
their  artillery;  and  their  right  consisted  of  the  Indians 
under  Tecuniseh,  who  occupied  the  more  dense  forest  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  morass. 

The  American  troops  were  now  formed  in  order  of 
battle.  General  Trotter's  brigade  formed  the  front  line, 
with  general  Desha's  division  en  potence  on  the  left, 
(ieneral  King's  brigade  formed  a  second  line,  in  the  rear 
of.  general  Trottei",  and  Chile's,  as  a  corps  of  reserve; 
lioth  under  the  conunand  of  major-general  Henry.    Each 


bngade  avi 
by  Desha's 
venerable  S 
hundred  an 
Pjing  a  nar 
the  purpose 
repulsed. 
Jonnson's  ir 
the  Indians; 
cavalry  toai 
of  attack  alt 
back  wood 's- 
inconvenien( 
situation,  he 
and  charge  c 
trees;  the  m 
in  front.     T 
this  way,  wh 
fire,  and  wen 
in  front  of  th« 
soon  after  goi 
broke  through 
fninute  the  co 
instantly  fort] 
fife,  and  were 
Rrifish  officer! 
fanks,  imniedi 
^'pon  the  le 
?reat  fury.     C 
/bat  flank  ofh 
»e  returned  w 
jards  the  poii 
nrst  made  an 
brought  a  regi 
raged  with  inci 
twelve  or  fiftee 
tain  their  grou 
cumseh  could 
Hours;  and  alt 
that  of  the  mo 
courage  than  h, 


! 


■iMtti 


epre- 

)  pro- 

»coiul 

d  five 

of  co- 

t,  and 

iteers. 

I,  as  a 

it  they 

ity-six 

whom 

eir  ap- 

On  the 
creek, 

,  and  a 

J  oppo- 

and  the 

jpairetl. 

itaud  of 
store«, 

he  fifth. 

g  some 

he  plate 
Colo- 
British 
:h  infor- 
distant, 
across 

jes,  and 

ptherby 

irted  by 

Indian;^ 

forest  in 

lorder  of 
lont  line, 
Ithe  left. 
Ithe  rear 
reserve; 
Each 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


183 


biigade  averaged  five  hundred  men.  The  an^le  formed 
by  Desha's  brigade  and  Trotter's,  was  occupied  by  the 
venerable  Shelby.  The  regular  troops,  amounting  to  one 
hundred  and  twenty  men,  were  formed  in  columns,  occu- 
pying a  narrow  space  between  the  road  and  the  river,  for 
the  purpose  of  seizing  the  artillery,  should  the  enemy  be 
repulsed.  General  Harrison  had  at  first  ordered  colonel 
Jonnson's  mounted  men  to  form  in  two  lines,  in  front  of 
the  Indians;  but  the  underwood  beinii:  two  close  here  for 
cavalry  to  act  with  any  effect,  he  determined  upon  a  mode 
of  attack  altogether  new.  Knowina;  the  dexterity  of  the 
backwood's-men  in  riding  through  forests,  and  the  little 
inconvenience  to  them  of  carrying  their  riiles  in  such  a 
situation,  he  determined  to  refuse  his  left  to  the  Indians, 
and  charge  on  the  regulars  drawn  up  among  the  beech 
trees;  the  mounted  regiment  was  accordingly  drawn  up 
in  front.  The  army  moved  on  but  a  short  distance  in 
this  way,  when  the  mounted  men  received  the  enemy's 
fire,  and  were  instantly  oidered  to  charge.  The  horses, 
in  front  of  the  column,  at  first  recoiled  from  the  fire;  but 
soon  after  got  in  motion,  and  immediately  at  full  speed 
broke  through  the  enemv  with  irresistible  force.  In  one 
minute  the  contest  was  over  in  front.  The  mounted  men 
insta?7tly  formed  in  the  rear,  and  poured  a  destructive 
fire,  and  were  about  to  make  another  charge,  when  the 
British  ollicers,  finding  it  impossible  to  form  their  broken 
ranks,  immediately  surrendered. 

Upon  the  left,  tlie  onset  was  begun  by  Tecumseh  with 
^reat  fury.  Colonel  R.  M.  Johnson,  who  commanded  on 
that  flank  of  his  regiment,  received  a  galling  fire,  which 
he  returned  with  effect,  while  the  Indians  advanced  to- 
wards the  point  occupied  by  governour  Shelby;  and  at 
first  made  an  impression  on  it;  but  the  aged  warriour 
broudit  a  regiment  to  its  support.  The  combat  now 
raged  with  increasing  fury;  the  Indians  to  the  number  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  hundred,  seemed  determined  to  main- 
tain their  ground  to  the  last.  The  terrible  voice  of  Te- 
cumseh could  be  distinctly  heard,  encouraging  his  war- 
Hours;  and  although  beset  on  every  side,  excepting  on 
that  of  the  morass,  they  fought  with  more  determuied 
courage  than  had  ever  been  witnessed  in  these  people. 


:!*  ^  ■  ■•! 

nil 

t 


J 


■U'i 


.1 


184 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


An  incident  soon  occurred,  however,  which  decided  the 
contest.  Colonel  Johnson  rushed  towards  the  spot  v^herc 
the  warriours,  clusterinj:;  around  their  undaunted  chief, 
apj»earp(l  resolved  to  perish  by  his  side;  in  a  moment  a 
hundred  rifles  were  aimed  at  the  American,  whose  uni- 
form and  white  horse  which  he  rode  rendered  a  con- 
spicuous object;  his  holsters,  dress,  and  accoutrements, 
were  pierced  with  bullets,  his  horse  and  himself  receiv- 
ing^ a  number  of  wounds.  At  the  instani  hts  horse  was 
about  to  sink  under  him,  the  daring  Kentuckian,  covered 
with  btood  from  his  wounds,  was  discovered  by  Tecum- 
seh;  the  chief  having  discharged  his  rifle,  sprang  forward 
with  his  tomahawk,  but  struck  with  the  appearance  of  the 
warriour  who  stood  before  him,  hesitated  for  a  moment, 
and  that  moment  was  his  last.  The  Kentuckian  levelled 
a  pistol  at  his  breast,  and  they  both,  almost  at  the  same 
instant,  fell  to  the  ground.*  The  Kentuckians  rushed 
forward  to  the  rescue  of  their  leader,  and  the  Indians,  no 
longer  hearing  the  voice  of  Tecumseh,  soon  after  fled. 
Near  the  spot  where  this  scene  occurred,  thirty  Indians 
were  found  dead,  and  six  whites. 

Thus  fell  Tecumseh,  the  most  celebrated  Indian  war- 
riour that  ever  raised  the  tomahawk  against  us,  and  with 
him  fell  the  last  hope  of  our  Indian  enemies.  This 
mighty  warriour  was  the  determined  foe  of  civilization, 
and  had  for  years  been  labouring^  to  unite  all  the  Indian 
tribes  in  opposing  the  progress  oi  the  settlements  to  tlie 
westward.  Had  such  a  man  opposed  the  European  colo- 
nists on  their  first  arrival,  this  continent,  in  all  proba- 
bility, would  still  have  been  a  wilderness.  To  those  who 
prefer  a  savage,  uncultivated  wa«te  inhabited  by  wolves 
and  panthers,  and  by  men  more  savage  still,  to  the  busy 
city,  to  the  peaceful  hamlet  and  cottage,  to  science  and 
the  comforts  of  civilization,  to  such  it  may  be  a  source  of 
regret  that  Tecumseh  came  too  late.  But  if  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  eartli,  and  the  cultivation  of  the  human  intel- 
lect and  the  human  virtues,  are  agreeable  in  the  sight  of 

*  C<)lonel  Johnson  is  still  a  member  of  congress.  In  this  affair  I 
liave  adopted  the  popular  story:  but  1  aiu  awai-e  that  it  has  been  ile- 
nied  the  Indian  killed  by  colonel  Johnson  was  Tecumseh.  Until  it 
shall  be  formally  denied  by  him,  I  shall  think  it  my  duty  to  relate  the 
fitory  as  I  find  it. 


^H 


■m 


w«r*ir^ 


affair  I 

leen  i'*-" 
lUntil  it 
lltitc  Uvo 


■^'   1 


'    ♦         f 


0^.ik 


'mrnmum^- 


the  Cre&i 

champion 

a  period, 

his  own  1 

strength. 

as  a  great 

took  priso 

been  taken 

tuallyput  1 

work  of  inj 

ment  with 

his  death,  h 

cumseh  hai 

hand  of  nat 

state  of  soc 

(listinguishe 

mind,  with  i 

dignity  in  h 

he  could  be 

the  rest  of  tl 

VV'hen  girdei 

tor  that  he  v 

for  his  condu 

the  present  v 

to  command, 

submission  tc 

precedence. 

of  uncommon 

parison  with 

Greece  and  R 

frequent  occa 

the  reproaches 

before  his  dea 

ihe  papers  of  i 

monly  elegant 

tectlj  proporti 

I  victors,  by  wh< 

[veterate,  but  a 

In  this  engaa 

P'lrs  killed,   an 

!!>nsoners.    Th( 


Ma'*aak^iai»tfii'  ih 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR/ 


18.1 


the  Creator,  it  may  be  a  just  cause  of  felicitation  that  this 
chaninion  of  barbarism  was  the  ally  of  Great  liritain,  at 
a  period,  when  he  couhl  only  draw  down  destruction  on 
liis  own  head,  by  sava^el)^  daring  what  was  beyond  his 
strcngtlu  But  Tecumseli  fell  respected  by  his  enemies, 
as  a  great  and  a  magnanimous  chief.  Although  he  neldom 
took  prisoners  in  battle,  he  treated  well  those  that  had 
been  taken  by  others;  and,  at  the  defeat  of  Dudley,  ac- 
tually put  to  death  a  chief  whom  he  found  engaged  in  the 
work  of  massacre.  He  had  been  in  almost  every  engage- 
ment with  the  whites  since  Harmer*s  defeat,  although  at 
his  death,  he  scarcely  exceeded  forty  years  of  a^e.  Tc- 
cumseh  had  received  the  stamp  oi  greatness  from  the 
hand  of  nature,  and  had  his  lot  been  cast  in  a  different 
state  of  society,  he  would  have  shone  as  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  of  men.  He  was  endowed  with  a  powerful 
mind,  with  the  soul  of  a  hero.  There  was  an  unconmion 
dignity  in  his  countenance  and  manners;  by  the  former 
he  could  be  easily  discovered  even  after  tleath,  among 
the  rest  of  the  slain,  for  he  wore  no  insignia  of  distinction. 
When  girded  with  a  silk  sash,  and  told  by  general  Proc- 
tor that  he  was  made  a  brigadier  in  the  British  service, 
for  his  conduct  at  Brownstown  and  Magag-ua,  he  returned 
the  present  with  respectful  contempt.  Born  with  no  t'tlc 
to  command,  but  his  native  greatness,  every  tribe  yiehied 
submission  to  him  at  once,  and  no  one  ever  disputed  his 
precedence.  Subtle  and  fierce  in  war,  he  was  possessed 
of  uncommon  eloquence,— his  speeches  might  bear  a  com- 
parison with  those  of  the  most  celebrated  orators  of 
Greece  and  Rome.  His  invective  was  terrible,  as  we  had 
frequent  occasion  to  experience,  anil  as  may  be  seen  in 
the  reproaches  which  he  applied  to  Proctor,  a  fev  days 
[before  his  death,  in  a  speecn  which  was  found  amongst 
I  the  papers  of  the  British  officers.  His  form  was  uncom- 
jHionly  elegant;  his  stature  about  six  i'ceAy  his  limbs  per- 
fectly proportioned.  He  was  honourably  interred  by  the 
victors,  by  whom  he  was  held  in  much  respect,  as  an  in- 
|veterate,  but  a  magnanimous  enemy. 

In  this  engagement  the  British  loss  was  nineteen  regu- 
lars killed,  and  fifty  wounded,  and  about  six  hundred 
||)risoners.    The  Indians  left  one  hundred  and  twenty  on 


I'll 

m 


!'.. 


1: 


vy 


■   '.■*' 

i-    -:  C 


TrU«i-..j^.i,^J,.^^^_ 


k1 


l\ 


■ » 
5 


j8r> 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


(he  field.  The  Ami'iican  loss,  in  killed  ami  wounded, 
amounted  io  upwards  of  fifty;  seventeen  of  tlie  slain 
were  Kentuckians,  and  among  tiiem,  colonel  Whitelj, 
a  soldier  of  the  revolution,  who  served  on  this  occasion 
as  a  private.  Several  pieces  of  brass  cannon,  the  tro- 
phies of  our  revolution,  surrendered  by  Hull,  were  once 
more  ies<i»red  to  our  country.  Proctor  had  fled  avS  soon 
as  the  charge  was  made,  and  by  means  of  swift  horses 
was  enabled  to  escape  down  *he  Thames,  though  hotly 
jjursued.  His  caniaji;e  was,  however,  taken,  in  which  his 
private  papers  had  been  left,  in  the  liaste  of  his  retreat. 
The  time  was  now  come,  which  would  prove  whether 
the  stigma  past  upon  the  chivalrous  people  of  Kentucky 
by  the  infamous  Proctor,  in  order  that  his  own  atrocious 
conduct  might  escape  notice,  was  founded  in  truth.  It 
was  now  seen  whether,  to  use  the  words  of  this  monster, 
tliey  were  a  "ferocious  and  mortal  foe,  using  the  same 
mode  of  w&rfare,  with  the  allies  of  Britain."  The  recol- 
lection of  the  aft'air  of  the  river  Raisin  might  have  justi- 
fied revenue:  and  what  is  more,  the  instruments  who 
perpetrated  those  horrid  deeds  were  now  at  iheir  dispo- 
sal; bereft  of  hope  by  this  signal  defeat  and  the  loss  of 
their  great  leader,  the  savages  sued  for  peace,  and  as  an 
earnest  of  their  sincerity,  offered  to  raise  their  toma- 
hawks on  the  side  of  the  United  States,  and  to  inflict 
upon  the  British  prisoners,  the  same  abominable  cruel- 
ties, they  had  practised  on  the  Americans.  But  the 
Kentuckians,  to  their  honour,  far  from  giving  way  to  the 
passions  of  revenge,  forebore  even  a  word,  or  look  of 
insult;  there  was  not  even  an  allusion  to  the  murder  of 
their  brothers  and  friends;  the  prisoners  were  distributed 
in  small  parties,  in  the  interiour  towns,  and  although  ex- 
tremely insulting  in  their  deportment,  were  not  merely 
treated  with  humanity,  but  in  many  places  actually  ca- 
ressed and  fed  with  dainties  by  the  compassionate  inhabi- 
tants. This  treatment  was  carried  to  an  excess,  which 
might  properly  deserve  the  name  of  folly;  were  it  not  a 
noble  mode  ot  revenge  for  what  our  countrymen  at  that 
moment  endured  in  me  British  dungeons  on  the  land,  and 
in  the  floating  prisons  on  the  sea,  where  they  imdeivveni 
every  species  of  distress,  wretchedness  and  torture. 


Nf)r  w,' 
generous. 
•ee<ling  \\ 
lick  expe 
against  th 
defence  I  cs 
'i'lie  fnt 
stored  to 
were  perm 
tioning  gei 
men,  j)roc( 
remainder 
MulHiloe. 
^^'festing  c 
<('nf,  was  f 
tl-e  British 
^vith  hu mai 
thai  such  a 
(>risoners  th 
thon  took  oc 
iJiities  comn 
of  vvarfaj-e  w 
cans.     He  f 
the  Miami,  \ 
general  Prof 
slander  of  tl 
^t:d,  that  inn 
t>l  a  deviutioi 
(nith  of  thes 
led.^'e  of  gen 
■'^;ited,  that, 
'ictly  purely 
score  of  recif 
<hose  Indian: 
^'fiited  States 
^vished  to  be 
"Oil id  be  rest 
^^ould  permit 

.  "  ■'■^H'  IJriUsh  , 
'':'''(/iiri  lion,  tlia 
•"  tiK'sc  their  qua 


. :'    T' 


niSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


187 


slain 

tely, 

ision 
tro- 

oncc 
soon 

orses 

hotly 

:h  his 

itreat. 

lethei* 

tucky 

ocioui 

h.    It 

:>nster, 

i  same 

:  recol- 
justi- 

ts  wi\o 
dispo- 
ioss  of 

1  as  an 
toma* 
inflict 
!  cruel- 
ut  ti  e 
to  the 
look  of 
Irder  of 
Iributcd 

merely 

lly  ca- 

iuhabi- 

w'liith 

it  not  a 
at  that 

lul.and 
ervvent 


Nor  was  the  treatment  of  the  conquered  savages  less 
ojeneious.  Peace  was  granted  them,  and  during  the  suc- 
•eetling  winter  tlicy  were  actually  subsisted  at  the  pub- 
lick  expense.  Tliey  stipulated  to  raise  the  tomahawk 
against  their  former  friends,  but  engaged  not  to  assail  the 
defenceless  and  the  non-combatant.* 

The  Indian  war  being  now  settled,  and  security  re- 
stored to  our  frontier,  the  greater  part  of  the  volunteers 
were  permitted  to  return  home;  und  Harrison,  ahei  sta- 
tioning general  Cass  at  Detroit,  with  about  one  thousand 
men,  proceeded,  according  to  his  instructions,  with  the 
rcujainder  of  his  force,  to  join  the  army  of  the  centre  at 
liullhloe.  Shortly  before  his  arrival  at  this  place,  an  in- 
(oresting  correspondence  between  him  and  general  Vin- 
« eiit,  was  brouglit  on  by  a  request  from  the  latter,  that 
the  British  prisoners  in  his  possession  might  be  treated 
with  humanity.  General  Harrison,  after  assuring  him 
tha\  such  a  request  was  unnecessary,  referred  him  to  the 
|)ris()ners  themselves  for  information  on  this  score.  He 
then  took  occasion  to  go  into  n  minute  detail  of  the  enor- 
mities committed  by  the  British  and  Indians,  in  the  mode 
of  warfare  which  they  had  practised  towards  the  Ameri- 
cans. He  painted  the  scenes  of  ihe  river  Raisin,  and 
the  Miami,  with  others  of  a  similar  character,  and  which 
general  Proctor  had  attempted  to  cover  by  an  infamous 
slander  of  the  western  people:  he  at  the  same  time  sta- 
ted, tiiat  in  no  single  insta?ice  had  the  British  complained 
of  a  deviation  from  civilized  warfare  on  our  part;  for  the 
truth  of  these  Aicts,  he  appealed  to  the  personal  kjiow- 
ledi^'e  of  general  Vincent.  General  Harrison  distinctly 
stated,  tliut,  in  his  ircatment  to  British  prisoners,  he 
actly  purely  from  a  sense  of  humanity,  and  not  on  the 
score  of  reciprocity,  and  as  there  were  still  a  number  of 
tliose  Indians,  v»1k>  reside  beyond  the  boundaries  of  the 
Uiiited  States,  in  the  employment  of  the  British,  he  »^ow 
wished  to  be  informed  explicitly,  whether  these  allies 
would  be  restrained  in  future,  or  whether  general  Vincent 
would  permit  them    to   practise  their    usual   cruelties. 

**  'I'ho  Brilisl)  ministers  at  Client  Ji  year  afte.  v.  ards,  flciriiinded  as  a 
:--'-ip  (jua  )iOii,  that  P.n  article  s'lould  be  iuserti'd  in  tlie  tnaty  in  Favoui; 
•)i  these  their  quaudam  allies,  but  v/ho  were  at  that  time  their  e.ieniies. 


'      4               .  1 

}■ 

,       ■    I 

\ 

If 

'r 

\\ 

; 

1 

y 

t 

1 

.■*«4to:*i«.Xtil-.  4-^Jki 


1S8 


mSTOKY  OK  THE  WAR. 


i 


**Vac  tlu'ii,  1  |iruy  you,"  Haul  he,  "your  authority  and 
inllunuc  to  stop  the  dreadlul  effusion  of  innocent  Llood, 
which  proceeds  from  the  euqdoytnent  of  those  savjiijje 
monsters,  whose  aid,  as  must  now  be  <liscovered,  is  so 
litfle  to  he  depended  on  wlien  most  wanted,  and  which 
can  have  so  trilliny;  an  etVect.  on  the  issue  t)t"  the  waik 
'I'he  etVect  of  tlieir  barbarities  will  not  be  conHned  to  tlie 
present  «;eneration.  Au;es  yet  to  come  will  (eel  the  deep 
rooted  hatred  and  enmity,  which  they  must  produce  be- 
tween tlie  two  nations."  He  concluded  by  declaring, 
that  uidess  a  stop  should  be  put  to  these  proceedings,  he 
would  be  under  the  necessity  of  retort iiija;  the  same  treat- 
ment, which  as  a  soldier  he  nu)st  s'ncercly  deprecated. 
This  part  of  his  letter  cannot  be  so  well  approved;  it  Is  a 
threat  which  the  jjovernment  would  not  Iwive  permitted 
to  be  put  in  execution;  retaliation  is  only  justifiable  as  a 
nH)de  of  prevent  in«»;  a  vit)lation  of  the  laws  of  nations;,  but 
not  as  a  punishment  for  it;  this,  in  tact,  places  the  civi- 
lized nations  upon  a  fcjotinp;  with  the  barbarian.  The 
wanton  practice  of  military  executions,  was  properly  ar- 
rested by  general  Washinj^ton;  but  had  he  proceeded  at 
once  to  the  slaughter  of  his  prisoners,  it  would  have  caus- 
ed a  war  of  extermination.  There  is  something  exceed- 
ingly rejuignant  to  the  feelin«5s,  in  this  substitution  of 
the  objects  of  punishment,  in  thus  causing  the  innocent 
to  suffer  for  the  guilty. 

The  reply  of  general  Vincent  was  not  unlike  that  of 
sir  Sidney  Beckwith,  vague  and  evasive.  He  expressed 
liiinself  perfectly  satisfied  on  the  score  of  the  treatment 
of  the  prisoners,  but  w  ith  respect  to  the  other  topicks,  he 
declined  saying  any  thina:;  it  was  beyond  his  power  to 
give  an  eji^plicit  answer;  but  he  pledged  his  honour  that 
to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  he  would  join  with  geneial 
Harrison  in  olleviatinii;  the  calamities  of  war.  Although 
general  Harrison  pledged  himself  to  produce  proofs  of 
every  thing  which  he  stated,  general  Vincent  chose  to  be 
silent  upon  the  subject;  neither  disavowing  that  such  acts 
were  sanctioned  by  the  British  government,  nor  calling 
the  truth  of  them  in  question;  they  will,  therefore,  remain 
an  indelible  stigma  on  the  British  name. 


llffe  rORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


WJ 


CHAPTKIl  XL 


1*1*/  p:ii!((i(ms  i'H'  imadiiic^  Cana(lu-~CicMcrnl  Wilkinson  tiik«  a  cdtninanci 

— i{<-ii<l«"/vniiH  r>i°  tlif  Aiiici'icikii  fiiiTt  s — (irinrul  NV  ilkiiisoii  (Icshci-imI^i 

'llu'  .^t.  I>:i\u-(iicr— •IJatllc  of  (^lirvHlltT  h  fulil— llminiloii'.s  inaliility 

to   •■o-()|K'iat<' — Kailiire  ot    tlie    cxpcilition— (yniiHr    (tf  commodore 

(.'liuiiiict')— 'I'lu-  bui'uiug  of  Newark— Hritisli  n-laliation. 

X  Ml',  glorious  result  of  thr  operations  of  (lie  north-west- 
n  II  army,  ami  the  splendid  victory  on  the  lake,  opened 
the  uuy  to  a  more  eftectual  invasion  of  ('anada.  Wc 
were  now  in  the  situation  thiit  we  should  have  been  at  the 
couuuenecment  of  the  war,  had  Hull's  expedition  proved 
successful.  There  was,  however,  this  ditlercnce,  tliat  the 
British  had  time  to  j)rovide  for  a  defence,  by  collecting 
troops,  disciplining  tlieir  niiliti  ,  and  fortifying  the  bor- 
ders of  (Jje  St.  Lawrence.  On  the  other  hand,  a  more  for- 
midable force  was  collected  on  the  frontier,  than  at  any 
time  since  the  war,  under  oflicers  whose  merits  had  been 
tiied  in  actual  service;  and  besides,  the  greater  i)art  of 
the  Indians  on  our  froutierw  had  declared  against  tne  Bri- 
lir.l!.  'j'he  publick  was  now  so  elated  by  the  series  of  bril- 
liant victories  to  the  westward,  tiiat  it  was  thought  the 
tide  of  fortune  had  at  last  turned  in  our  favour,  and  it 
was  exp«'cted  that  the  administration  would  go  about  the 
conrpiest  of  Canada  in  earnest. 

At  the  head  of  the  war  department,  there  was  now  a 
man  of  energy  and  distinfjuished  talents,  who  had  resided 
a  long  time  abroad;  and  it  was  supposed,  that  from  the 
natural  bias  of  his  mind  to  military  affairs,  he  had  availed 
himself  of  his  opportunities  to  the  best  advantage.  Much 
^vas  expected  from  him.  In  a  short  time  it  was  acknow- 
ledged, that  great  improvements  were  introduced  into 
this  department,  particularly  in  the  selection  and  pro- 
motion of  the  officers  of  the  army.  General  Armstrong, 
knowing  the  sanguine  expectations  which  prevailed 
tlirough  the  United  States,  proceeded  to  the  northern 
frontier,  with  a  plan  of  operations  digested  in  the  cabinet; 
and  which  he  intended  to  see  put  in  execution  under  his 
own  eye.    The  plan  as  afterwards  developed  was  in  itself 


^$ 


i  ' 


t«.'Httki 


*'*:U»..f 


190 


nihlORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


judicious,  but  there  was,  perhaps,  in  its  execution,  not  ji 
siifticient  alUtwance  for  a  change  of  circumstances.  Al- 
though the  season  was  far  advanced,  much  might  yet  be 
done;  but,  to  satisfy  the  publick  expectations,  to  the  ex- 
tent to  whicli  they  had  been  raised  by  the  success  of  Har- 
rison, was  scarcely  possible.  Little  short  of  the  com- 
idete  conquest  of  Canada  would  suifice,  and  but  vague 
ideas  of  the  nature  of  the  enterj)rise,  and  the  difticulties 
to  be  encountered,  prevailed  tiirougliout  the  great  body 
of  the  nation.  The  people  in  this  country,  like  other 
sovereigns,  are  unfortunately  too  apt  to  look  little  further 
than  the  success  or  failure  of  their  agents,  without  much 
weighing  the  peculiar  circumstances  under  which  they 
may  have  acted.  To  .he  desire  of  doing  too  much,  may 
perliaps  be  attributed  the  misfortunes  we  experienced  in  a 
campaign,  which  resiulted  so  dittercntly  from  our  wishes 
and  expectations. 

After  the  resignation  of  general  Dearborn,  general 
Wilkinson,  who  tiien  commanded  in  the  southern  section 
of  the  union,  was  called  to  the  command  of  the  Ameri- 
can forces.  It  was  generally  admitted,  that  he  possessed 
a  greater  share  of  military  science  than  any  one  in  the 
army.  The  general,  on  taking  command,  issued  an  order 
which  gave  universal  satisfaction;  and  it  was  expected 
that,  for  the  sake  of  firmly  establishi)ig  his  reputation  be- 
yond the  power  of  his  enemies,  he  would  endeavour  to 
render  some  signal  service  to  his  country.  I'he  force 
under  his  command,  on  the  Niagara,  amounted  to  eight 
thousand  regulars,  besides  tliose  under  Harrison,  who 
was  expected  in  the  course  of  the  month  of  October. 
General  Hampton,  a  distinguished  revolutionary  oflicer, 
had  also  been  called  from  the  south,  and  appointed  to  the 
command  of  the  army  of  the  north,  then  encamped  at 
Plattsburg,  and  amounting  to  about  four  thousand  men. 
As  the  season  for  military  operations  was  drawing  to  a 
close,  it  was  determined  to  lose  no  time,  and  measures 
were  immediately  taken  for  carrying  into  effect  the  pro- 
jected invasion.  The  outline  of  the  plan  which  had  been 
adopted,  was  simply  to  descend  the  St.  Lawrence,  pass- 
ing the  13ritish  posts  above,  and  "fter  a  junction  with  ge- 
neral Hampton  at  some  designated  point  on  the  river, 


proceed 

words  0 

and  swoj 

them  hoi 

opinion 

at  var; 

Kingston 

f lie  latter 

taking  ^] 

above  th;i 

ef  his  reii 

greeof  ur 

wise  to  m 

not  to  ta! 

those  case 

great  or  (i( 

Tlie  an 

corps,  and 

centrated 
atiou.     Fo 

between  S, 
on  account 
most  prope 
tober,  gpTK 
principal  b 
island,  whe 
the  necessa 
terprise.     J 
at  which  pi 
their  necess 
dezvous.     < 
at  fort  Geo 
of  artillery, 
vessel  of  th 
lonel  Denni 
hour;  and  i\ 
ber  of  boat: 
Lawrence,  | 
the   twenty- 
seven  thousj 
ter's  light  ar 


ii(»t  a 
Al- 
ct  be 
e  ex- 
Hai- 
coin- 
^a|»;ue 
ulties 
body 
otlier 
irtber 
much 
I  tliey 
,  may 
>d  in  a 
wishes 


en 


eriil 
section 
/Vmcri- 
isessed 
in  the 
I  order 
pec ted 
ion  be- 
our  to 
force 
eight 
p,  who 
Ictober. 
loflicer, 
to  the 
ed  Tit 
men. 
g  to  a 
asures 
|ie  pro- 
\  been 
,  pass- 
lith  ge- 
river, 


TITSTOUY  OF  TflK  W  AU. 


191 


proceed  to  the  island  of  Montreal;  and  then,  to  use  the 
words  of  ji^eneral  ^Vilkln^on,  *Mheir  artillery,  bayonets, 
and  swords,  must  secure  them  a  triumph,  or  provTde  for 
them  honourable  graves."  It  is  said  tuat  a  difllerence  of 
opinion  existed  between  the  «»;eneial  and  the  secretary 
at  war;  the  former  not  considerinj;  it  prudent  to  leave 
Kinjjston,  and  other  British  garrisons,  in  the  rear;  while 
the  latter  seemed  to  think,  that  as  there  was  no  doubt  of 
taking  Montreal,  all  the  posts  on  the  river  and  lakes 
above  that  place,  must  fall  of  course.  The  correctness 
»f  his  reasoiung  catmot  be  denietl;  but  as  there  is  a  de- 
gree of  uncertainty  in  every  human  undertaking,  it  is  un- 
wise to  make  no  allowance  for  some  possible  failure,  and 
not  to  calculate  the  corisecjuences;  excepting  indeed,  in 
those  cases,  where  the  party,  like  Ctesar,  resolves  to  be 
great  or  dead. 

The  army,  whicli  ha<l  been  distributed  in  difterent 
corps,  and  stationed  at  various  points,  Mas  now  to  be  con- 
centrated at  some  place  most  convenient  for  its  en»bark- 
ation.  I'^nr  this  purpose  Grenadier's  island,  which  lies 
between  Sackett's  Harbour  and  Klnjjston,  was  selected, 
on  account  of  its  contiguity  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  as  the 
most  proper  place  of  rendezvous.  On  the  second  of  Oc- 
tober, general  Wilkinson  left  fort  George,  which  the 
principal  body  of  the  troops,  and  soon  after  reached  the 
island,  where  he  occupied  himself  incessantly  in  making 
the  necessary  preparations  for  the  prosecution  of  his  en- 
terprise. He  several  times  visited  Sackett's  Harbour, 
at  which  place  the  troops  first  arrived,  and  after  receiving 
their  necessary  supplies,  proceeded  to  the  place  of  ren- 
dezvous. Colonel  Scott,  whom  he  had  left  in  command 
at  fort  George,  was  ordered  to  embark  with  his  regiment 
of  artillery,  and  colonel  Randolph's  infantry,  on  board  a 
vessel  of  the  squadron,  and  proceed  to  tlie  island.  Co- 
lonel Dennis  was  left  in  the  command  of  Sackett's  Har- 
bour; and  the  general  having  provided  a  suHicient  num- 
ber of  boats  to  transport  the  artillery  through  the  St. 
Lawrence,  proceeded  to  put  the  troops  in  motion.  By 
the  twenty-third,  the  troops  thus  collected,  exceeded 
seven  thousand  men,  and  were  composed  of  colonel  Por- 
ter's light  artillery,  a  few  companies  of  colonels  Scott's 


^ 

«^w 


;■'" 
'li- 


;?»■.-■  -- 


s*2^&aitt^A«.^, 


? 


192 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


and  Macomb's  regiments  of  artillery,  twelve  regiments  of 
infantry,  and  Forsythe*s  rifle  corps. 

In  consequence  of  the  high  winds,  which  prevailed  for 
several  days  on  the  lake,  it  was  not  until  the  twenty-fifth 
that  the  army  could  get  under  weigh.  The  general  at  this 
time  experienced  a  severe  illness,  notwithstanding  which, 
he  still  continued  to  direct  the  movements  of  the  army. 
A  few  days  before,  he  received  intelligence,  that  the  ene- 
my, in  consequence  of  liis  departure  from  fort  George, 
had  also  abandoned  that  neighbouHiood  pnd  was  occu- 
pied in  concentrating  his  forces  at  Kingston,  conceiving 
that  place  to  be  the  object  of  attack.  General  Wilkin- 
son to  favour  this  idea,  after  entering  the  St.  Lawrence, 
fixed  on  French  Creek  as  the  place  of  rendezvous,  and 
which,  from  the  circumstance  of  being  opposite  the  most 
proper  point  of  debarkation  on  the  Canada  side,  might 
completely  deceive  the  enemy.  General  Brown,  now  a 
brigadier  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  was  order- 
ed to  take  the  command  of  the  advance  of  the  army  at 
this  place.  On  the  fi^st  of  November,  a  British  squa- 
dron made  its  appearance  near  French  creek,  with  a 
large  body  of  infantry;  a  battery  of  three  eighteen-pouiid- 
ers,  skilfully  managed  by  captains  lVl*Pherson  and  Fan- 
ning, soon  forced  them  to  retire.  The  attack  was  re- 
newed the  next  morning,  but  with  no  better  success;  and 
as  the  other  corps  of  the  army  uow  daily  arrived,  the 
enemy  thought  proper  to  move  oif.  On  the  sixth,  the 
army  was  put  in  motion,  and  in  the  evening  landed  a  few 
miles  above  the  British  fort  Prescott.  After  reconnoi- 
tring the  passage  at  this  place,  and  finding  that  the  fort 
commanded  the  river,  general  Wilkinson  directed  the 
fixed  ammunition  to  be  transported  by  land  to  a  safe 
point  below,  and  determined  to  take  advantage  of  the 
night  to  pass  with  the  flotilla,  while  the  troops  were 
marched  to  the  same  point,  leaving  on  board  the  boats 
merely  a  sulficic/it  number  to  navigate  them.  Availing 
himself  of  a  heavy  fog  which  came  on  in  the  evening,  the 
commander  endeavoured  to  pass  the  fort  unobserved; 
but  the  weather  clearing  up,  and  the  moon  siiining,  he 
was  discovered  by  the  enemy,  who  opened  a  heavy  fiie. 
General  Brown,  who  was  in  the  rear  with  the  flotilla, 


e 
e 


thought  i< 

should  gr( 

but  not  w 

a  severe  c 

of  three  hi 

fore  ten  o' 

at  the  plac 

patched  to 

ment  of  th 

The  ene 

of  the  Ame 

great  assid 

descent  wa 

oftheBriti 

where  they 

and  what  i 

the    comma 

alarming  d 

a  day  in  c 

sions,  which 

OgdensburgI 

twelve  hund 

patched  to  n 

army,  at  thre 

On  passing  i 

^rge  of  the 

pieces  of  aH 

cutting  the  ri 

soon  divertec 

ed  their  fire  fj 

at  the  same  ti 

tliem  unexpec 

artillery.    Th 

Hamilton,  an( 

M/Comb  had 

n|iles  below,  a 

division   of  th 

called  the  Wl 

to  which  point 

to  proceed.    () 

eral  Brown  wa 


■"^i-nr 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


193 


tsof 

Ifov 
-fifth 
tthis 
hich, 
irmy. 

ene- 
;orge, 
occii- 
iiving 
ilkin- 
rence, 
s,  and 
t  most 
might 
now  a 
order- 
my  at 

squa!- 
with  a 
)OUiid- 


ts; 


thought  it  prudent  to  land  for  the  present,  until  the  night 
should  grow  darker.  He  then  proceeded  down  the  river, 
but  not  without  being  discovered,  and  again  exposed  to 
a  severe  cannonade;  notwiths^  iding  which,  not  one  out 
of  three  hundred  boats  suffered  the  slightest  injury.  Be- 
fore ten  o'clock  the  next  day,  they  had  all  safely  arrived 
at  the  place  of  destination.  A  messenger  was  now  des- 
patched to  general  Hampton,  informing  him  of  the  move- 
ment of  the  army,  and  requiring  his  co-operation. 

The  enemy  by  this  time,  havmg  penetrated  the  design 
of  the  Americans,  immediately  occupied  themselves  with 
great  assiduity,  to  counteract  it.  On  the  seventh,  the 
descent  was  found  to  be  impeded  by  considerable  bodies 
of  the  British,  stationed  at  the  narrow  parts  of  the  river, 
where  they  could  annoy  our  boats  within  musket  shot; 
and  what  increased  tlie  embarrassment,  the  illness  of 
the  commander-in-chief,  had  augmented  in  the  most 
alarming  degree.  The  army  was  also  delayed  for  half 
a  day  in  extricating  two  schooners  loaded  with  provi- 
sions, which  had  been  drivei*  into  a  part  of  the  river  near 
Ogdensburgh,  by  the  enemy's  fire.  A  corps  d'elite  of 
twelve  hundred  men,  under  colonel  M*Comb,  being  des- 
patched to  remove  the  obstructions  to  the  descent  of  the 
army,  at  three  o'clock  he  was  followed  by  the  main  body. 
On  passing  the  first  rapids  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  tlie 
barge  of  the  commander-in-chief  was  assailed  by  two 
pieces  of  artillery,  but  without  any  other  injury  tlian 
cutting  the  rigging.  The  attention  of  the  enemy  was 
soon  oiverted  by  lieutenant  colonel  Eustis,  who  return- 
ed their  fire  from  some  light  barges,  while  major  Forsytlie 
at  the  same  time,  landing  some  of  his  riflemen,  attacked 
them  unexpectedly,  and  carried  off  three  pieces  of  llieir 
artillery.  The  flotilla  came  to  about  six  miles  below 
Hamilton,  and  there  received  intelligence  that  colonel 
M'Comb  had  routed  the  enemy  at  a  block-house  two 
miles  below,  and  that  the  dragoons  attached  to  the  first 
division  of  the  enemy,  had  been  collected  at  a  place 
called  the  White  House,  at  a  contraction  of  the  river; 
to  which  point  the  flotilla  was  ordered  the  next  morning 
to  proceed.  On  arriving  at  this  place  on  the  eighth,  gen- 
eral Brown  was  ordered  to  go  forward  with  his  brigade, 

If 


•  V 


■  r 


4"^ 


r^WIHiP*w*Mift 


"«WS^,^i-3i|8»|^,, 


J  94 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


to  reinforce  colonel  M*Comb,  and  to  take  command  of 
the  advance,  while  the  commander-in-chief  directed  the 
transportation  of  the  dragoons  across  the  St.  Lawrence. 
The  last  was  completed  during  the  night. 

The  British  finding  themselves  freed  from  any  appre- 
hensions of  attack  on  Kingston,  moved  with  the  greater 
part  of  their  force,  to  harrass  the  American  army.  On 
the  ninth,  they  had  so  far  gained  upon  its  rear,  as  to 
bring  on  a  skirmish  between  the  American  riflemen  and 
a  party  of  militia  and  Indians.  To  be  thus  harrassed  !  y 
a  large  body  of  troops  hanging  on  its  rear,  is  a  situation 
which  military  men  have  always  carefully  avoided,  and 
this  was  the  necessary  consequence  of  withdrawing  the 
troops  from  above,  which  might  have  kept  them  in  check. 
Ha<l  two  thousand  men  been  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of 
Kingston  to  threaten  it,  the  enemy  would  have  been  com- 
pelled to  concentrate  liis  force  at  this  place,  by  which 
means  the  main  body  of  tlie  army  might  have  passed  in 
greater  safety.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  the  cavalry  and 
ibur  pieces  of  artillery  under  captain  M*Pli€rson,  were 
ordered  to  clear  the  coast  as  tar  as  the  head  of  the  Longue 
JSaut;  and  in  the  evening  the  army  arrived  at  a  place 
called  the  Yellow  House,  which  stands  near  the  Saut. 
As  the  passage  of  this  place  was  attended  with  consider- 
able difficulty,  on  account  of  the  rapidity  of  the  current 
and  of  its  length,  it  was  deemed  prudent  to  wait  until  the 
next  day,  and  in  the  meanwhile  it  became  necessary  to 
use  the  utmost  precaution. 

On  the  morning  of  the  tenth,  general  Brown,  with  the 
troops  under  his  command,  excepting  two  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, and  the  second  regiment  ol  dragoons,  was  ordered 
to  march  in  advance  of  the  army.  A  regard  for  the  safe- 
ty of  the  men,  had  induced  the  commander-in-chief  to 
retain  as  few  of  tlie  troops  in  the  boats  as  possible,  on  ac- 
count of  the  exposure  to  which  they  would  be  subject,  in 
the  long  and  dangerous  passage  of  these  rapids,  and 
where  the  eneni}'  had  in  all  probability  established  bat- 
teries for  the  purpose  of  impeding  their  descent,  i  he 
second  reginierit  of  dragoons,  and  a  consideiable  portion 
of  the  other  bri^»;ades,  which  had  been  wltluiraMii  from 
the  boats,  were  ordered  to  follow  under  general  iiojd,  tlie 


steps  of 
still  hang 
advantage 
his  march 
Ij  of  coif 
part  of  th 
nfteenth  t 
before  he  ; 
hlock-hous 
minutes,  \ 
who  was  S( 
of  the  enei 
Janded,  am 
ber  of  the 
however,  b( 
compelled  i 
too  far  spen 
pone  it  unti 
At  ten  0' 
flotilla  was  i 
the  division 
and  the  brig 
were  drawn 
that  the  ene 
i''ie  com  mar 
too  much  im\ 
Has  ordered 
army.     'II^q 

proached,  for 

American  flo 

nis  detachme 

part  of  gener 

?nd  bring  the 

^^^7,  at  the 

the  wood  whic 

«eld,  and  dro 

entering  the  f 

consisting  of  ti 

Colonel   Riple 

|vas  executed  ; 

two  regiments, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


195 


ri. 


id  of 
I  tlie 
ence. 

ppre- 
eater 
On 
as  to 
n  and 
ed  ly 
nation 
.1,  and 
ig  the 
check, 
iiity  of 
1  com- 
which 
ssed  in 
Iry  and 
1,  were 
Lonzue 
,a  place 
e  Saut. 
[nsider- 
urrent 
In  til  the 
iary  to 


steps  of  general  Brown,  to  prevent  the  enemy  who  were 
still  hanging  on  the  rear  of  the  army,  from  making  any 
advanta.;eous  attack.  General  Brown  now  commenced 
his  march  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  consisting  principal- 
ly of  colonel  M*Comb's  artillery,  and  a  part  of  Scott's, 
part  of  the  light  artillery,  the  riflemen,  and  the  sixth, 
fifteenth  and  twenty-second  regiments.  It  was  not  long 
before  he  found  himself  engaged  with  a  strong  party  at  a 
block-house  near  the  Saut,  which  after  a  contest  of  a  few 
minutes,  was  repulsed  by  the  riflemen  under  Forsythe, 
who  was  severely  wounded.  About  the  same  time  some 
of  the  enemy's  galleys  approached  the  flotilla,  which  had 
larded,  and  commenced  a  Are  upon  it,  by  which  a  num- 
ber of  the  boats  were  injured;  two  eigliteen  poutiders, 
however,  being  hastily  run  on  shore,  a  fire  from  them  soon 
compelled  the  assailants  to  r>'tire.  Tlie  day  being  now 
too  far  spent  to  attempt  the  Saut,  it  was  resolved  to  post- 
pone it  until  the  day  following. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  the  eleventh,  at  the  moment  that  the 
flotilla  was  about  to  proceed,  and  when  at  the  same  time, 
the  division  under  general  Boyd,  consisting  of  his  own 
and  the  brigades  of  generals  Covington  and  Swaitwout, 
were  drawn  up  in  marching  order,  an  alarm  was  given 
that  the  enemy  was  discovered  approaching  in  column. 
The  commander-in-chief  and  general  Lewis,  being  both 
too  much  indisposed  to  take  the  command,  general  Boyd 
was  ordered  to  face  about  and  attack  the  approaching 
army.  The  enemy's  galleys  had  at  the  same  time  ap- 
proached, for  the  purpose  of  attacking  the  rear  of  the 
American  flotilla.  General  Boyd  now  advanced  with 
his  detachment  formed  in  three  columns,  and  ordered  a 
part  of  general  Swartwout's  brigade  to  move  forward, 
and  bring  the  enemy  to  action.  Colonel  Ripley,  accord- 
ingly, at  the  head  of  the  twenty-first  regiment,  passed 
the  wood  which  skirts  ti>e  open  ground  called  Chrystler's 
field,  and  drove  in  sever  al  of  the  enemy's  parties.  On 
entering  the  field,  he  met  the  advance  of  the  British, 
consisting  of  the  forty-ninth  and  the  Glengary  fencibles. 
Colonel  Ripley  immediately  ordered  a  charjre,  which 
was  executed  with  such  surprising  firmness,  that  these 
two  regiments,  nearly  double  his  numbers,  were  com- 


'--*■■ 


■P^ 


•  ■i:'=~; 


,1     «.. 

A-  r, 


Wmmm^m. 


^»^vfmi>^sma 


i96 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


h 


pellcd  to  retire;  ami  on  makinj^  a  stand,  were  a  second 
time  driven  before  tlic  bayonet,  and  compelled  to  pass 
over  the  ravines  and  fences,  by  which  the  field  was  inter- 
sected, until  they  fell  on  their  main  body.  Generul 
Coviii'»;tou  had,  before  this,  advanced  upon  the  rij2;ht  of 
the  enemy,  where  his  artillery  was  posted,  and  at  the  mo- 
ment colonel  Ripley  had  assailed  the  left  flank,  the  r'v^hi. 
was  forced  by  a  determined  onset,  and  success  appearod 
scarcely  doubtful.  IJnfoitunately,  however,  j[5eneral  (o- 
virit^ton,  whose  activity  had  rendered  him  conspicuous, 
became  a  nuirk  for  the  sharp-shooters  of  the  enemy  sla- 
tioncd  in  Cinystler's  house,  and  he  was  shot  from  his 
horse.  The  fall  of  this  gallant  officer  arrested  the  pro- 
5>ress  of  the  bri«»;ade,  and  the  artillery  of  the  enemy  threw 
it  into  confusion,  and  caused  it  to  fall  back  in  disorder. 
Tile  Tlritish  comniander  now  wheeled  part  of  his  line 
into  column,  with  the  view  of  capturing  some  pieces  of 
artillery,  vhich  were  no  longer  supported.  A  body  of 
dragoons,  under  the  adjutant-general,  Walbach,  attempt- 
etl,  in  a  very  gallant  manner,  to  charge  the  British  co- 
lumn, but  from  the  nature  of  the  ground  was  not  suc- 
cessful. At  this  critical  moment,  colonel  Ripley,  who 
had  been  engaged  with  the  enemy's  left  flank,  threw  his 
regiment  between  tiie  artillery  and  the  advancing  co- 
lumn, and  frustrated  their  design.  The  British  fell  back 
with  precipitation.  The  regiments  which  had  broken, 
had  not  retired  from  the  field,  but  still  continued  to  keep 
up  an  irregular  fight  with  Various  success;  and  the  twen- 
ty-first having  by  this  time  expended  its  ammunition, 
and  being  much  exposed,  was  withdraw^n  to  another  po- 
sition, and  in  the  meanwhile  the  enemy  again  attempted 
to  possess  themselves  of  the  artillery.  One  piece  was 
unfortunately  captured  by  them,  in  consequence  of  tlie 
death  of  lieutenant  William  S.  Smith,  who  commanded  it; 
the  others  were  brought  oft'  by  the  coolness  and  bravery 
of  captain  Armstrong  Irvine.  The  action  soon  after 
ceased,  having  been  kept  up  for  two  hours,  by  little  better 
tliaii  raw  troops  against  an  equal  number  of  v«terans. 
The  British  force  consisted  of  detachments  from  tlu- 
forty-ninth,  eighty-fourth,  hundred  and  fourth,  the  Volti- 
geurs,  and  the  Glengary  regiment.     The  enemy  soon 


after  n 
boats. 

In  tl 

wounde 

whom  ( 

were   lii 

the   woi 

died;    c 

Cummin 

bell,  ant 

I-ynch,  1 

could  no 

Both^ 

it  was  pi 

tlieir  enc 

I'erhaps, 

again  ass 

granted,  i 

ral  Browr 

Rapids,  a 

eleventh, 

the  ad  van  ( 

der-in-chi< 

which,  in 

once  to  tl 

Montreal. 

On  the  s 

field,  the  c 

ral  Hampt 

this  order, 

in  which,  a 

state  of  ger 

situation  of 

possible  to 

carried  by  i 

a  ccmniunic 

any  other  j 

mander-in-c 

time  before 

Jiis  troops,  ] 

t'le  same  tii 


HISTORY  OP  THK  WAK. 


197 


after  retired  to  their  camp,  ami  the  Americans  to  their 
boats. 

In  this  battle  the  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  amounted  to  three  hundred  and  thirty-nine,  of 
whom  one  hundred  and  two  were  killed:  amont;  these 
were  lieutenants  Smith,  Hunter,  and  Olmstead;  among 
the  wounded,  were  j»;eneral  Covinjijton,  who  afterwards 
died;  colonel  Preston,  majors  Chambers,  Noon  and 
Cumminj^s;  captains  Townsend,  Foster,  Myers,  Camp- 
bell, ami  Murdock;  and  lieutenants  Heaton,  Williams, 
Lynch,  Pelham,  Brown,  and  Creery.  The  Britisli  loss 
could  not  have  been  less  than  tiiat  of  the  Americans. 

Both  parties  claimed  the  victory  on  this  occasion,  but 
it  was  properly  a  drawn  battle;  the  British  retiring  to 
tlieir  encampments,  and  the  Americans  to  their  boats. 
Perhaps,  from  the  circumstance  of  the  enemy's  neVer 
again  assailing  the  American  army,  it  may  be  taken  for 
granted,  that  they  were  defeated  in  their  object.  Gene- 
ral Brown  had,  in  the  meanwhile,  reached  the  foot  of  tlie 
Rapids,  and  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  army.  On  the 
eleventh,  the  army  proceeded  on  its  course,  and  joined 
the  advance  near  Barnhart.  At  this  place,  t!ie  comman- 
der-in-chief received  a  letter  from  general  Hampton, 
which,  in  the  most  unexpected  manner,  put  an  end  at 
once  to  the  further  prosecution  of  the  design  against 
Montreal. 

On  the  sixth,  a  few  days  before  the  battle  of  Chrystler's 
field,  the  commander-in-chief  had  given  orders  to  gene- 
ral Hampton,  to  meet  him  at  St.  Regis;  but  soon  after 
this  order,  a  letter  was  received  from  general  Hampton, 
in  which,  after  stating  that  from  the  disclosure  ot  the 
state  of  general  Wilkinson's  supply  of  provisions,  and  the 
situation  of  the  roads  to  St.  Regis,  which  rendered  it  im- 
possible to  transport  a  greater  quantity  than  could  be- 
carried  by  a  man  on  his  back,  he  had  determined  to  open 
a  communication  from  Plattsburgh  to  Conewago,  or  by 
any  other  point  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  which  the  ccm- 
mander-in-chief  might  indicate.  General  Hampton  some- 
time before  tliis,  with  a  view  to  a  further  movement  of 
his  troops,  had  descended  the  Cliateaugay  river;  about 
the  same  time  that  the  army  was  concentrated  on  lake 


M 


ii  -iE 


M* 


'^i?;v>^ 


^'^^^W*'!P5&i 


a.„V6«./»/;,,^,„„ 


108 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


'I  I 


l!i> 


i'l 


li 


^1 


Ontario.  Sir  Geort:!;e  Prevost  perceiving  this  moveinoni 
towards  Montreal,  liad  collected  all  his  force  at  ti«is 
point,  to  oppose  the  march  of  Hampton.  On  the  twenty- 
first  of  October  this  officer  crossed  the  line,  but  soon  found 
his  road  obstructed  by  fallen  timber,  and  the  ambuscade 
of  the  enemy's  militia  and  Indians.  A  wood  of  consider- 
able extent  would  have  to  be  passed,  before  they  could 
reach  the  open  coin-try,  and  while  the  engineers  were 
(Migased  in  cutting  a  way  through, colonel  Purdy  was  de- 
tached with  the  light  tioops  and  one  regiment  of  the  line, 
to  turn  their  flank,  and  then  seize  on  the  open  country 
below.  In  this  he  succeeded,  and  the  army  by  the  next 
day  reached  the  position  of  the  advance.  But  it  was 
discovered  that  about  seven  miles  further,  there  was  a 
wood  which  had  been  felled  and  formed  into  an  abatis, 
and  that  a  succession  of  breast-works,  some  of  them  well 
'Uipplied  with  artillery,  had  been  formed  by  the  main 
body  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Purdy,  on  the  twenty-fifth, 
was  ordered  to  march  down  ihe  river  on  the  opposite 
•>ide,  and  on  passing  the  enemy,  to  cross  over,  and  attack 
him  ill  his  rear,  whilst  the  brigade  under  general  Izard 
V  ould  attack  him  in  front.  Colonel  Purdy  had  not 
marched  far,  when  his  orders  were  countermanded;  but 
on  his  return,  he  was  attacked  by  the  enemy's  infantry 
and  Indians,  and  at  first  thrown  into  some  confusion, 
i>ut  the  assailants  were  soon  after  repulsed;  they  came 
ovit  at  the  same  moment  in  front,  and  attacked  general 
Izard,  but  were  compelled  to  retire  behind  their  defences, 
(leneral  Hampton  receiving  information  that  the  enemy 
were  co)itinuaily  reinforced,  resolved,  on  the  advice  of 
\ih  ofilcers,  to  retreat  to  a  position  which  he  had  occupied 
yiome  days  before,  called  the  Four  Corners,  where  he  ar- 
rived on  the  last  day  of  the  month.  The  British  claimed 
u  victory  for  this  affair,  which  they  say  was  gained  with  a 
very  inferior  force.  But  it  was  not  the  intention  of  gen- 
eral Hampton  to  penetrate  to  Montreal,  but  merely  to 
divert  the  attention  of  the  British  from  the  army  of  gene- 
Tal  Wilkinson,  with  which  it  was  his  intention  to  form  a 
junction  some  days  afterwards.  Having  accomplished 
iiis  object;  he  fell  back  to  the  position  whence  he  could, 
^\ith  greater  facility,  make  his  way  to  some  point  on  fh** 


St.  Lav 
iler  of 
tor  aire 
(oinplia 
munica 
by  whic 
[niign  w 
cd  to  re 
/roops 
example 
Ids  corps 
Thus 
salisfacti 
had  been 
peared  ti 
cess  whic 
to  the  ca 
ought  to  I 
kinson,  af 
supplies,  J 
to  nave  j: 
health,  he 
would  hav 
With  res| 
fay,  that  ii 
implicit  re 
he  alleged 
With  resp 
tainly  judi( 
eti.    By  se 
and  strong] 
«pper  and 
^Iie  most  i 
season,  how 
just  expectj 
that  Montr 
some  length 
greater  thar 
secretary  at 
operations  o 
than  service 


TT^» 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


199 


^t 


vemsni 

at  ti«^s 

Lwentv 

n  found 

buscadc 

onsider- 

y  could 

jrs  were 

was  d*"- 

the  line, 

country 

the  next 

t  it  was 

re  was  a 

in  abatis, 

hem  well 

the  main 

enty-fifth, 

i  opposite 

nd  attack 

ral  Izard 

had   not 

r\ded;  but 

infantry 

:r,nfusion, 

ley  came 

d  general 

defences. 

le  enemy 
I  advice  ot 
occupied 
lere  he  ar- 
li  claimed 
led  with  a 
^n  of  gen- 
lerely  to 
of  gene- 
Ito  form  a 
)mplished 
lie  could, 
Int  on  {he 


St.  Lawrence.  It  was  then  tliat  on  tlie  receipt  of  the  or- 
der of  the  commander-in-chief,  he  despatched  the  let- 
ter already  mentioned,  stating  the  impracticability  of  a 
( ompliance.  On  tl.g  receipt  of  general  Hampton's  com- 
munication, a  council  of  the  principal  officers  was  called, 
by  which  it  was  determined  tliat  tlie  objects  of  the  cam- 
paign were  no  longer  attainable;  it  was  therefore  resolv- 
ed to  retire  into  winter  quaifers  at  French  Mills.  The 
troops  under  general  Hampton  soon  after  followed  his 
example,  and  in  consecpience  of  the  illness  of  that  officer. 
Ids  corps  was  left  under  the  command  of  general  Izard. 
Thus  terminated  a  campaign,  which  gave  rise  to  dis- 
satisfaction, pioportioned  to  the  high  expectations  which 
had  been  indulged;  this  unexpected  turn  of  affairs  ap- 
peared to  cast  a  shade  upon  all  the  brilliant  series  of  suc- 
cess which  had  preceded.  Opinion  was  much  divided  as 
to  the  causes  of  tlie  failure,  and  as  to  the  parties  who 
ought  to  bear  tlie  blame.  With  respect  to  general  Wil- 
kinson, after  the  disappointment  in  his  reinforcement  and 
supplies,  it  would  not  perhaps  have  been  prudent  for  hiirt 
to  nave  persevered;  and  besides,  from  the  state  of  his 
health,  he  was  not  qualified  to  carry  into  execution  what 
would  have  required  the  utmost  vigour  of  mind  and  body. 
With  respect  to  Hampton,  military  men  will  probably 
say,  that  it  was  his  duty  to  have  obeyed;  but  if  we  place 
Implicit  reliance  upon  the  correctness  of  the  facts  which 
he  alleged,  it  will  be  difficult  to  condemn  his  conduct. 
With  respect  to  the  whole  plan  of  operations,  it  was  cer- 
tainly judicious;  it  ought  from  the  first  to  have  been  adopt- 
ed. By  seizing  a  favourable  position  on  the  St.  Lawrence 
and  strondy  fortifying  it,  the  communication  between  the 
upper  and  lower  provinces  would  have  been  cut  off,  and 
the  most  important  results  would  have  followed.  The 
season,  however,  m  as  too  far  advanced  to  attempt  it  with 
just  expectations  of  success.  It  is  by  no  means  certain, 
that  Montreal  could  have  been  taken  without  a  siege  of 
i^oine  length;  an  I  the  strength  of  the  British  was  probably 
greater  than  it  had  been  supposed.  The  presence  of  the 
secretary  at  war,  for  the  purpose  of  superintending  the 
operations  of  the  campaign,  was  perhaps  more  injurious 
than  serviceable.    He  was  by  no  means  in  a  situation  in. 


W^ 


•.f 


■     3  '  * 


*a«*^^.^ 


■*' 


200 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^vhicb  he  could  be  considered  responsible,  although  in  case 
of  success,  the  merit  of  it  would  be  assigned  to  him.  This 
is  an  unfair  and  improper  interference  which  ought  to  be 
condemned. 

While  these  things  were  taking  place  on  the  land,  the 
commander  of  our  squadron  on  the  lake  was  not  idle. 
,  Commodore  Chauncey,  it  has  been  seen,  after  his  first  at- 
tempt to  bring  the  enemy  to  action,  returned  to  Gackett's 
Harbour,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  fresh  supply  of 
provisions.  After  bein^  reinforced  by  a  new  schooner, 
]  |i  lie  again  sailed  on  a  cruise;  and  on  the  seventh  of  Sep- 

tember, discovered  the  British  squadron  near  the  Niagara, 
and  immediately  stood  for  it.  Sir  James,  on  perceiving 
the  Americans,  made  sail  to  the  northward,  and  was  pur- 
sued during  four  days  and  nights;  but  owing  to  the  dull 
sailing  of  a  greater  part  of  the  pursuers,  lie  was  enabled  to 
keep  out  of  their  reach.  On  the  fourth  day,  off  Genesee 
river,  commodore  Chauncey  having  a  breeze,  while  sir 
James  lay  becalmed,  endeavoured  to  close  with  him;  this 
he  was  not  able  to  accomplish,  the  enemy  taking  the  brecie 
also,  when  thie  American  squadron  had  approached  v  it.iin 
half  a  mile.  After  a  running  fight  of  more  than  thiee 
hours,  *.he  British  escaped;  but  the  next  morning  ran  into 
Amherst  bay,  whither  the  American  commodore,  for  want 
of  a  pilot,  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  follow,  but  content- 
ed himself  with  forming  a  blockade.  In  the  running  fight, 
the  British  sustained  considerable  injury;  that  of  the  Ame- 
ricans was  very  trifling.  The  blockide  -vas  continued 
until  the  seventeenth  of  September,  when  in  consequence 
of  a  heavy  gale  which  blew  irom  the  westwr^rd,  the  commo- 
dore was  compelled  to  leave  his  station,  and  tlie  British 
escaped  into  Kingston. 

After  remaining  but  a  short  time  in  Sackett's  Harbour, 
commodore  Chauncey  again  sailed  towards  Niagara,  where 
he  arrived  on  the  twenty-fourth,  having  passed  sir  James 
at  the  False  Ducks,  without  noticing  him,  intending  to 
draw  him  into  the  lake.  A  few  days  after,  the  American 
commodore  received  information,  that  the  enemy  was  in 
the  harbour  of  York;  he  therefore  made  sail  to  that  place, 
as  fast  as  his  dull  sailing  schooners  would  permit;  and  on 
the  twenty-seventh,  early  in  the  morning,  discovered  the 


^■nemy 
him.     ' 
and  ent 
that  th€ 
(tivn  in 
at  the  J 
1  eai-  of  I 
vented  1 
down  in 
was  tlir 
a^vay,  bi 
hy  chat  ( 
and  rniz 
away;  tl 
and  kee|] 
the  great 
coiitinuei 
tov/,  and 
f'/the  enc 
lieutenan 
close  wit! 
v.as  at  lei 
ahnoht  a 
cjiemy  be 
^vithout  g 
was  just  I 
though  thf 
heaten;  tw 
in  the  com 
with  the  ^ 
dition  to  i 
fair  on  lak 
to  avoid  ai 
considerab 
the  fire  of 
was  occas 
vhich  twi 
total  amou 
deal  cut  ui 
'    Shortly; 
inunicated 


^^rirn 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


i201 


<'iieniy  in  motion  in  the  bay,  and  immediately  stood  for 
him.  This  b^ine  perceiveu  by  sir  James,  he  stooii  out 
and  endeavourecf  to  escape  to  the  southward;  but  finding 
that  the  American  was  closing  upon  him,  tacked  his  squa- 
dron in  succession;  and  commenced  a  well  directed  tire 
at  the  Pike,  in  order  to  cover  his  rear;  and  attacking  the 
1  ear  of  his  opponent  as  he  passed  to  leeward;  this  was  pre- 
vented by  tiiv;  skilful  manceuvring  of  Chauncey,  by  bearing 
clown  in  line  on  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  squadron,  which 
was  thrown  into  confusior ,  and  Yco  immediately  bore 
away,  but  not  before  his  snip  had  been  roughly  handled 
by  that  of  the  commodore.  In  twenty  minutes,  the  main 
and  rnizentopmast  and  mainyard  of  the  Wolf,  were  shot 
away;  the  British  commander  set  sail  upon  his  foremast, 
and  keeping  dead  before  the  wind,  was  enabled  to  outsail 
the  greater  part  of  Chauncey's  sc^uadron.  The  chase  was 
continued  until  three  o'clock,  the  Pike  having  the  Asp  in 
tov/,  and  during  the  greater  part  of  this  time,  within  reach 
of  the  enemy's  shot.  Captain  Crane,  in  the  Madison,  and 
lieutenant  Brown,  of  the  Oneida,  used  every  exertion  to 
close  with  the  enemy,  but  wit'.ioul^,  success.  The  chase 
was  iif  length  reluctantly  given  up,  as  it  came  on  to  blow 
almost  a  gale,  and  there  was  no  hone  of  closing  with  the 
enemy  before  he  could  reach  the  British  batteries,  and 
without  great  risk  of  running  ashore.  The  commodore 
was  justly  entitled  to  claim  a  victory  in  this  affair;  al- 
though the  enemy  were  not  captured,  they  were  certainly 
beaten;  two  of  his  vessels  were  at  one  m.oment  completely 
in  the  commodore's  power;  but  from  his  eagerness  to  close 
with  the  whole  fleet,  they  effected  their  escape.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  general  policy  of  sir  James  Yeo,  the  late  af- 
fair on  lake  Erie  had  rendered  him  particularly  careful 
to  avoid  an  engagement.  The  loss  on  board  the  Pike  was 
considerable,  owing  to  her  having  been  so  long  exposed  to 
the  fire  of  the  enemy's  fleet;  tlie  most  serious,  however, 
was  occasioned  by  the  bursting  of  one  of  her  guns,  by 
vhich  twenty-two  men  were  Killed  and  wounded;  the 
total  amounted  to  twenty-seven.  The  vessel  was  a  good 
deal  cut  up  in  her  hull  and  rigging. 
'  Shortly  after  this  aftkir,  the  commodore  having  com- 
municated with  general  Wdkinson  on  the  subject  of  the 


!^) 


If' 


'I 
( 

\ 

I' 


202 


HIS  rORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


'  -r;. 


expedition  -lien  on  foot,  was  advised  to  continue  to  watch 
the  enemy's  squadron;  and,  if  possible,  to  prevent  its  re- 
turn to  Kingston.  About  the  beginning  of  October,  tlie 
con)(nodore  again  chased  '•  nem^^'s  fleet  for  several 
days,  and  forced  it  to  take  <  ge  in  Burlington  bay;  the 
next  inornin;^,  on  sending  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  to  recon- 
noitre, it  was  discovered  that  sir  James  had  taken  advan- 
tage of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  and  escaped  lo  Ivingstou. 
Much  pleasantry  was  indulged  at  this  time,  at  the  siiy- 
ncss  of  the  British  knight,  and  his  ungallant  escape  from 
the  Lady  of  the  Lake.  The  chase  was  now  renewed, 
and,  favoured  by  the  wind,  the  commodore  came  in  siglit 
of  seven  schooners,  and  captured  five  of  them,  in  spite  of 
their  eftbrts  to  escape  by  separating.  Before  sun-down, 
three  of  them  struck  to  the  l*ike,  and  another  to  the  ^y\\ih 
and  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  and  a  tilth  was  afteivvard*  cap- 
tured by  the  Sylpii.  They  tuined  out  to  be  gun  ve>sc!s, 
bound  to  the  head  of  tlie  Ijikc  as  transports.  Two  of  them 
were  the  Julia  and  (srowler,  which  nail  been  lost  by  the 
Americans.  On  boird  were  three  hundred  soldiers,  be- 
longing to  the  De  Watteville  regiment.  It  was  ascer- 
tained that  the  ship  of  sir  James  Yeo,  and  the  Royal 
George,  had  sutiered  very  considerable  injury,  as  well  as 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  Commodore  Chauncey  re- 
mained master  of  the  lake  during  the  remainder  of  the 
season. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  consequences  of  leaving  a 
large  force  in  the  rear,  and  withdrawing  the  troops  from 
the  Niagara,  were  felt.  General  Harrison  reached  Buf- 
faloe  some  days  after  the  departure  of  the  commander-in- 
chief;  and  was  to  follow  immediately,  but  was  compelled 
to  wait  until  some  time  in  November,  in  consequence  of 
the  deficiency  of  transports.  It  was  not  until  jii;eneral 
Wilkinson  had  gone  into  winter  quarters,  that  Harrison 
embarked;  orders  had  been  previously  sent  for  him  to  re- 
main, but  unfortunaiely  these  did  not  reach  fort  George 
until  after  his  departure.  The  fort  was  left  under  the 
command  of  general  M'Clure,  his  force  consisting  entirely 
of  militia,  whose  term  of  service  had  nearly  expired.  By 
the  tenth  of  December,  the  force  under  general  M*Clure 
was  reduced  to  a  handful  of  men,  and  on  a  consultatiop 


of  office 
no  longc 
enemy  v 
general 
blown  u 
treat   of 
which  e 
excited 
States.  • 
U'low  th 
tiiation, 
had  tliei 
it  became 
the  vilhji 
taking  sh 
after  givi 
effects,  fii 
This  act  ^ 
was  prom 
lowing,  th 
himself  to 
uith  a  fori 
To  this,  ar 
by  the  gov 
tion,  that  I 
of  the  burn 
ised  b^  the 
American 
wanton  anc 
the  hounds 
to  the  infim 
fortunate  st 
The  diffe 
carried  on  I 
striking:  th 
taliation  for 
considering 
ledged   by  t 
Pntish  proc 
inquire  whe 
approved  oi 


^"V^. 


'Ti 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Has 


I 


to  watch 
X  its  re- 
Dber,  tlie 
■  several 
bay;  tl»e 
to  recon- 
i\  ailvan- 
dujijSion. 
the  sliy- 
ape  IVom 
renewed, 
e  in  sii^lit 
n  spite  of 
^un-dovvn, 
the  J^vlpii 
V  a  I'd  a  tap- 

W    Ve^acl8, 

K)  of  them 

ost  by  t'oe 

»hiiers,  bc- 

vvas  astei- 

the   R<)yai 

as  well  as 

\uncey  re- 

cler  of  the 

leaving  a 
oops  from 


of  officers,  it  was  nnaniinously  aj^reed,  that  this  nlace  was 
no  longer  tenable.     It  was  moreover  ascertained,  that  the 
enemy  was  on  his  marcli  witli  a  considerable  force.     The 
general  had  scarcely  time  to  pass  the  river  after  having 
l)U)wn  up  the  fort,  before  the  British  appeared.     'I'he  re- 
treat ot   general   M'Clure  was   also  prece<led  by  an  act 
which  every  American  must  sincerely  regret,  and  which 
excited   universal  dissatisfacticm  throughout  the   I'nited 
States.  There  is  a  handsome  village,  situated  immejiiately 
below  the  fort,  called  Newark;  as  this  place,  from  its  si- 
tuation, would  greatly  favour  the  besiegers,  an  authority 
jiad  therefore  been  given  by  the  secretary  at  war,  in  case 
it  became  necessary  for  the  defence  ot  the  fort,  to  destroy 
the  village,  and  by  that  means  prevent  the  enemy  from 
taking  shelter.     The  general,  misconceiving  these  orders, 
after  giving  notice  to  the  inhabitants  to  retire  with  their 
eftects,  fired  the  buildings,  and  left  the  village  in  flames. 
This  act  was  no  sooner  known  to  the  government,  than  it 
was  promptly  disavowed.    On  the  sixth  of  January  fol- 
lowing, the  order  under  which  general  M*Clure  conceived 
himself  to  have  acted,  was  enclosed  to  sir  Geory;e  Prevost, 
with  a  formal  declaration,  that  the  act  was  unauthorised. 
To  this,  an  answer  dated  the  tenth  of  February,  was  ^iven 
by  the  governour  of  Canada,  expressing  "gieat  sati?    ac- 
tion, that  he  had  received  assurance  that  the  perpetiativin 
of  the  burning  of  the  town  of  Newark,  was  both  unauthor- 
ised by  the  American  government,  and  abhorrent  to  every 
American  feeling;  that  if  any  outrages  had  ensued  the 
wanton  and  unjustifiable  destruction  of  Newark,  passing 
the  hounds  of  just  retaliation,  they  were  io  be  attributed 
to  the  influence  of  irritated  passions,  on  the  part  of  the  un- 
fortunate sufterers  by  that  event." 

The  difference  of  the  principles,  oa  which  the  war  was 
carried  on  by  the  Americans  and  by  the  British,  is  very 
striking:  the  first,  uniformly  disavowed  the  system  of  re- 
taliation for  the  outrages  committed  by  the  British  officers, 
considering  them  unautl.orised  until  expressly  acknow- 
ledged by  the  British  government,  on  the  contrarv,  the 
British  proceeded  at  once  to  retaliate,  witliout  waiting  to 
inquire  whether  the  violation  of  the  laws  of  w ar  was  dis- 
approved or  sanctioned.     Had  the  Americans  proceeded 


f  ..■ 


• 


i 


I' 


Hi 


204 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


upon  the  same  nrinciplcs  as  their  enemies,  the  burning  of 
Newark  would  nave  been  amply  justified,  by  the  outrages 
wantonly  committed  on  lake  Champlain  and  on  the  sea- 
board, without  any  pretext.     So  strictly  did  our  govern- 
ment adhere  to  this  principle,  that  shortly  after  the  massa- 
cre and  conflaffration  of  the  village  of  Hampton,  when  the 
captain  of  an  American  privateer  destroyed  some  private 
property  in  the  West  Indies,  on  the  score  of  retaliation, 
nis  commission  was  instantly  taken  from  him,  and  the 
act  publickly  disapproved.    Our  government  on  all  occa- 
sions discovered  tne  highest  sense  of  lionourable  warfaie. 
Our  humane  treatment  to  British  prisoners,  was  acknow- 
ledged by  lord  Castlereagh  in  the  house  of  commons,  but 
meanly  attributed  by  him  to  fear!   We  have  certainly  not 
shown  ourselves  afraid  to  fight,  either  on  the  ocean  or 
on  the  land,  our  fear  then  has  been  that  of  doin^  injustice. 
Sir  George  Prevost,  however,  did  not  wait  for  the  dis- 
avowal of  tne  American  government;  he  had  already  in- 
flicted a  retaliation  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  vengeance  of 
the  fiercest  enemy.   At  day-light  on  the  nineteenth  of  De- 
cember, fort  Niagara  was  surprised  by  colonel  Murray, 
with  about  four  hundred  men,  and  the  garrison,  nearly 
three  hundred  in  number,  and  principally  invalids,  was 
put  to  the  sword;  not  more  than  twenty  being  able  to 
escape.    The  commanding  officer,  captain  Leonard,  ap- 

Eears  to  have  been  shamefully  negligent,  or  perhaps 
ou^ht  by  the  enemy:  he  was  absent  at  the  time,  and  had 
used  no  precautions  against,  an  assault.  Having  pos- 
sessed themselves  of  this  place,  they  soon  after  increased 
their  force,  and  immediately  proceeded  to  lay  waste  the 
Niagara  frontier  with  fire  and  sword.  The  militia,  hasti- 
ly collected,  could  oppose  no  resistance  to  a  large  body 
of  British  regulars  and  seven  hundred  Indians.  A  spir- 
ited, but  unavailing  attempt  was  made  by  major  Bennett 
to  defend  L«vvistown;  this  village,  together  with  that  of 
Manchester,  Younu;'s-town,  and  the  Indian  village  of  tlie 
Tuscarroras,  were  speedily  reduced  to  ashes,  and  many 
of  the  inhabitants  butchered.  Major  Mellory  advanced 
from  Shlosser,  to  oppose  the  invaders,  but  was  compelled 
by  superior  numbers  to  retreat.  On  the  thirtieth,  a  de- 
tachment landed  at  Black  Rock,  and  proceeded  to  Buffa- 


Idc;  (r^. 
nn  (!io  J 
(o  hold 

Miiijors 
fo  no  J 

aslit's,  a 

s(enc  oi 

vt'n2:can 

;^('neral 

thv.  twel 

lias  occu 

place:'*  a 

tlier  a  sy 

and  HO  \\ 

Ije  well 

anfecedei 

'id  outra^ 

iner,  were 

^'ertain  it 

letaliatior 

measures 

<ieo  of  adi 

of  Newarl 

liouse  in  L 

'luinan  sea 

unfortunai 

vowed  by  ( 

'je  expiatei 

'i;iation,  \x\ 

t'levost,  aii 

L'xtonsive  j 

lous  and  i[[ 

and  piJIag( 

i'hese  till] 

place;  but 

<  losely  con 


n 


HIJSTORV  OF  THK  WAU. 


203 


rmng  of 
[)utrage8 
the  sea- 
govern- 
e  massa- 
wheii  the 
e  private 
taliation, 
and  the 
all  occa- 
\  warfare. 
ackuoNv- 
Tions,  but 
lainly  not 
ocean  oi 
injustice. 
)rthe  dis- 
Iready  in- 
igeance  of 
ntli  of  De- 
l  Murray, 
on,  nearly 
illds,  was 
g  able  to 
)nard,  ap- 
perhaps 
,  and  had 
Lving  pos- 
increased 
waste  the 
itia,  liasti- 
arge  body 
.    A  spir- 
ir  Bennett 
h  that  of 
ige  of  the 
ind  many 
I  advanced 
:onipelled 
jth,  a  de- 
to  Buffa- 


Ido;  sjciipral  Hall  had  organi/ed  a  borly  of  militia,  but 
nil  t!io  approach  of  the  eiuMny,  they  couhl  not  bo  induced 
lo  hold  their  ground.  Great  exertions  were  joade  by 
nijijors  Ktaunton  and  Norton,  and  lieutenant  ltiddh»,  l)ut 
to  no  purpose.  Tlie  villajjje  was  soon  after  redui  ed  to 
ashes,  and  tlie  whole  frontier,  for  n> any  miles,  exhibited  a 
scene  of  ruin  and  devastation.  Here  was  indeed  ample 
vengeance  for  the  burning  of  Newark.  Even  the  British 
•j;eneral  was  satisfied,  as  appears  by  his  proclamation  of 
\\h\  twelfth  ol  January:  "the  opportunity  «)f  punishment 
has  occurred,  ami  a  full  meaxnrc  of  retribution  haa  tnfcpu 
placr:**  nm\  he  declared  his  intentiim  of  "|)ursuing  no  fur- 
ther a  system  of  warfare  so  revolting  to  his  own  feelings, 
and  so  little  congenial  to  the  British  character."  It  may 
l)e  well  to  ask,  whether  the  conflagrations  and  pillaging 
antecedently  committed  on  lake  Champlain,  and  the  hor- 
rid outrages  in  the  Chesapeake,  in  the  course  of  the  sum- 
mer, were  also  in  retaliation  for  the  burning  of  Newark? 
Certain  it  is  that  this  att'air  not  only  produced  anticipated 
retaliation,  but  was  followed  up  by  subsequent  retaliatory 
measures  with  insatiate  vengeance.  'I'he  devastating  de- 
cree of  admirfil  Cochrane  was  founded  in  part  on  the  allair 
of  Newark,  and  the  groundless  charge  of  burning  a  brick 
house  in  Upper  Canada,  in  whicli  the  Aineiicans  found  a 
human  scalp.  It  waB  not  enough  that  ihe  burning  of  tins 
unfortunate  village  should  have  been  reprobated  and  disa- 
vowed by  our  government;  it  was  not  enough  tliat  it  should 
be  expiated  by  an  extensive  scene  of  murder  and  confla- 
!i;ration,  which,  according  to  the  admission  of  sir  George 
Prevost,  amply  glutted  the  vengeance  of  Biitain;  but  our 
extensive  sea-coast  of  fifteen  hundred  miles,  and  our  popu- 
lous and  flourishing  cities,  must  be  i>;lven  to  destruction 
and  pillage,  to  fill  up  the  measure  of  British  retaliation. 
These  things  will,  however,  be  detailed  in  the  proper 
place;  but  it  is  difficult  to  avoid  anticipating  events  so 
closely  connected  with  the  present. 


18 


ii 


1 1  i 


;.f' 

>'■'  . 

:  1  ; 


n[.  A,, 


'toiJiSteiK^kjHt, 


COG 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ii 


CHAPTER  XH. 


MMtiiif;  ( icongresp.  unci  violence  of  pafty  spirit. — Me}i"sures  fur  ciutv- 
ii'f;  on  ill."  wn;- — ['i:frien(lly  (Icpoilineiit  of  tlu'  XfU  England  staU  s— 
TliC  sulij>  ct  of  retaliation — A  committee  of  coiigrt-ss  iii(|uir(s  into  tite 
manner  in  Avluch  tlie  war  lias  heen  carried  on  by  the  eiieniy — 'I'hu 
v>  a;*  g:iinii>g;  };ro;md  in  the  L'nited  Suites. 

On  the  sixtli  of  December,  the  congress  of  the  l^niied 
•States  again  assembled.  The  fever  of  party  spii-it  had 
almost  reached  its  crisis,  and  the  debates  which  took 
place  were  more  distinguished  for  virulent  animosity,  than 
had  been  witnessed  since  the  foundation  of  our  govern- 
ment. It  would  be  improper  to  enter  minutely  into  a 
•subject,  V.  Inch  had  better  be  forgotten,  at  any  rate;  but  in 
this  simple  narrative  of  the  events  of  the  war,  there  is 
scarcely  room  for  such  a  discussion.  On  the  one  side,  wc 
find  tlie  opposition  accused  of  manifesting  a  spirit  of  hos- 
tility to  their  country,  and  a  determined  resistance  to 
eveiy  measure  for  carrying  on  the  war,  although  at  this 
time,  from  the  peremptory  rejection  oi  the  Russian  media- 
tion, there  existed  no  hopes  of  peace.  On  the  other  hand, 
the  party  in  power  was  accused  of  having  ruined  the  coun- 
try, destroyed  its  commerce,  involved  it  in  debts  v/hicli  it 
could  never  pay,  and  of  beinj^  engaged  in  a  guilty  jirojecf, 
of  conquest,  under  the  pretext  of  vindicating  national 
lights.  Every  measure  with  respect  to  the  wai-,  was  sure 
to  involve  in  it  a  consideration  of  its  causes,  and  the  same 
discussions  were  renewed  until  they  grew  stale  by  repeti- 
tion. The  opposition  to  every  measure  proposed  for  the 
prosecution  of  hostilities,  turned  unon  the  injustice  ami 
v/ickedness  of  the  war,  topicks  vvhich  ought  to  liave  been 
at  an  end  when  once  declared,  l^y  some  it  was  dciiied 
that  any  cause  of  war  existed,  and  by  others,  that  althoii<ili 
we  had  cause,  the  time  chosen  for  declaring  it  v.as  im|;ro- 
per.  Notwithstanding  the  warm  and  often  intempeiate 
debates,  to  which  these  subjects  gave  rise,  the  diiU'ient 
meas'ires  in  support  of  the  war  continued  to  be  carried  hy 
large  majorities.     Jn  some  of  the  New  England  states,  the 


^Ppositioj; 

occasione( 

^'derate. 

hiit  was  d 

They  now 

l.itet'i  to  i 

i^uch  as  to 

lipe  foj-  a  i 

means,  me 

other  parts 

,i,neat  mass 

expressed. 

about  this 

said,  were 

i^-iiglan(],th 

< ration  was 

ply,  tliat  th( 

'"i*J'n  the  noi 

was  carried 

vernment  a 

^lad  so  nmcl 

great  measu 

such  assistai 

our  coast. 

The  war  h 
as  <he  only 
publick  lam 
fiiid  It  was  n 
tyiity  upon 
^■i^^;it.  It  wr 
venue.  'J'hi* 
with  the  win 
»i^t  to  taxati( 
tlie  wish  of  i 

^^^'  Atth 
'^ II inland  nou 
t'echire  it,  wi 
cany  it  on. 
'"'('  the  Russi 
a  <^t>nsiderabl 
^^ t'te  therefor 


I 


HISTORY  OF  THii:  AN  A 


U. 


t>07 


•  t'i\iTy- 

BluU  S 

into  tlic 
y— 'Ihe 


Ignited 
•it  had 
h  took 


opposition  was  carried  on  in  a  spiiit  of  animosity,  \\ liicli 
occasioned  a  serious  regret  in  the  breasts  of  the  more  con- 
siderate. It  was  there  not  confined  to  tlie  administration, 
but  was  directed  against  the  federal  constitution  itself. 
They  now  discovered  that  this  instrument  was  not  calcu- 
lated to  insure  their  happiness,  and  their  conduct  was 
!?uch  as  to  lead  Great  Britain  to  believe,  tliat  they  weie 
ripe  for  a  separation.  These  sentiments  did  not,  by  any 
means,  meet  the  concurrence  of  tlie  opposition  party  in 
other  parts  of  the  United  .States,  and  certainly  not  of  the 
j;reat  mass  of  the  population  of  the  states  where  they  were 
expressed.  The  pressure  of  the  embargo,  wliicli  was 
about  this  time  adopted,  and  tlie  non-intercourse,  it  was 
said,  were  infinitely  more  severe  on  the  people  of  New 
Kri<,>;lanil,than  on  the  southern  districts;  and  the  adminis- 
tration was  accused  of  partiality.  It  was  alleged  in  re- 
ply, that  the  smugglin4j;  on  the  Canada  lines,  and  the  trade 
iVom  the  northern  ports,  by  the  connivance  of  the  British, 
was  carried  on  to  such  an  extent  as  almost  to  put  the  i^o- 
vernment  at  defiance;  that  the  British  squadron,  which 
had  so  mucli  harassed  the  southern  coasts,  had  been  in  a 
great  measure  supplied  to  the  northward,  and  that  without 
such  assistance  it  would  be  difficult  for  them  to  remain  on 
our  coast. 

The  war  had  hitherto  been  supported  by  means  of  loans; 
as  the  only  resources  of  the  government,  from  t!ie  sale  of 
publick  lands  and  imposts,  were  altogether  inadef[uate; 
and  it  was  now  beginning  to  be  seen.tliat  even  as  the  se- 
curity upon  which  to  suppoit  a  credit,  these  were  insuHi- 
tieat.  It  was  therefore  proposed  to  create  an  internal  re- 
venue. This,  it  may  be  said,  ought  to  liave  been  coeval 
with  tlie  war;  but  the  unwillingnesj  of  the  people  to  sub- 
mit to  taxation,  had  already  been  seen;  it  was  tlierefore 
the  wish  of  ^he  administration  to  avoid  this  as  long  as  pos- 
sible. At  the  declaration  of  war,  it  was  believed  that 
Eiiiiland  Aould  be  satisfied  with  our  having  the  ability  to 
declare  it,  without  waiting  to  ascertain  whether  we  could 
carry  it  on.  The  proposals  for  a  cessation  of  hostilities, 
and  the  Russian  mediation,  kept  up  the  hopes  of  {je.ice  lor 
a  considerable  time;  measures  disagreeable  to  the  people 
were  therefore  delaved  until  unavoidai)le,  or  ratii'jr  until 


;;! 


i; 


r 


wm 


m 


li 


'^Ali4mti!it 


i, 


ii^y 


5' I 


%' 


mi.. 


I 


! 


!:C8 


IIISTOUY  OF  Tin:  WAR. 


called  for  by  tlieinselves.  Tlie  expenses  of  tlie  wai*  ha<) 
also  unexpectedly  increased,  from  the  unlooked  for  rever- 
ses of  our  arms  to  the  westward,  which  rendered  it  neces- 
sary to  create  lleets  on  the  lakes;  and  in  consequence  of 
(he  unwillinii^ness  of  the  New  England  people  to  join 
lieartiiy  in  its  prosecution.  Had  we  possessed  ourselves 
of  Upper  Canada,  there  is  very  little  doubt  but  that  we 
should  have  had  peace  tiie  lirst  year  of  the  war;  and  it 
Whs  not  until  she  discovered  our  weakness  in  that  quarter, 
that  Kn:^,laiid  rejected  the  mediation,  in  hopes  of  being 
able  to  indict  Ujjon  us  some  serious  injury.  Not  that  the 
loss  of  Canada  would  have  been  a  matter  of  so  much  con- 
sequence to  Great  Britain,  but  it  would  have  furnished  her 
with  a  conclusive  proof,  that  .she  could  have  no  hope  of 
f?everi;i;^-  the  union  by  sowing  dissentions  between  the  dif- 
ferent --lates.  The  vast  expense  which  we  had  to  incur  on 
the  laivcs,  and  on  the  Canadian  frontier,  could  not  have 
been  easily  foreseen. 

The  next  thing  with  which  the  national  legislature  oc- 
cupied itself,  was  the  providing  some  means  of  filling  the 
ranks  of  the  army.  The  difficulty  of  enlisting  men  had 
been  found  to  increase,  and  was  even  an  argument  in  u^e, 
to  prove  that  the  war  was  not  popular.  But  this  could  be 
easily  accounted  for,  from  the  unwillingness  of  men,  with- 
out being  urged  by  their  necessities,  to  enter  into  a  posi- 
tive engagenjent  to  serve  as  common  soldiers  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  The  station  of  an  enlisted  soldier,  fiom  our 
long  state  of  peace,  had  beside  grown  into  disrepute;  hard 
ly  any  but  the  most  worthless  could  be  prevailed  upon  to 
enlist.  The  farmers'  sons,  and  the  young  mechanicks, 
were  willing  enough  to  engage  as  volunteers,  or  to  turn 
out  oji  a  tour  of  militia  duty,  but  it  was  a  very  difficuli 
matter  to  induce  them  to  enter  into  engagements  whicli 
they  regarded  as  disreputable.  It  would  naturally  re- 
quire a  considerable  length  of  time,  before  this  opmion 
could  be  subdued.  The  profession  of  the  common  soklici 
during  our  long  peace,  and  on  account  of  the  inconsidera- 
ble force  kept  on  foot,  had  sunk  very  low  in  the  estimation 
of  the  people:  an  enlisted  soldier,  was  almost  proverbial 
of  a  lazy  worthless  fellow.  The  only  mode  of  combating 
this  aversion,  was  the  offering  of  extravagant  bounties,  not 


so  much 

individui 

overconn 

ing  the  ( 

obligatioi 

very;  at  1 

this  was  s 

enterprisi 

passed  di 

and  givinj 

derable  a 

produce  ti 

About  i 

red  to  the 

rican  sold; 

autumn  ol 

I^ritish  sul 

for  treasor 

ment,  o'de 

like  numbc 

to  keep  tht 

which  was 

to  the  gov 

was  no  soo 

was  orderei 

conimissior 

oftheBriti 

to  general  ^ 

been  direct 

prisoners  s 

the  Anierici 

law  of  Grei 

lar  circumsl 

can  officers 

instant  deat 

formation  o 

been  given 

war  with  u] 

American  g 

'lom  putting 

^'onlinement. 


fTISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


i!09 


so  much  with  a  view  to  hohl  out  a  bait  to  the  cupidity  of 
individuals,  as  to  furnish  them  with  an  excuse,  and  to 
overcome  thepopuhir  prejudice  against  this  mode  of  serv- 
w^  the  coujitry.  An  idea  was  also  prevalent,  that  the 
obligations  of  tlie  enlisted  soldier  created  a  species  of  sla- 
very; at  least,  were  incompatible  with  republican  freedom; 
this  was  sufficient  to  prevent  a  great  number  of  spirited  and 
enterprising  young  men  from  entering  the  army.  A  \a.\\  was 
passed  during  the  session,  increasing  the  pay  of  privates, 
and  giving  them  bounties  in  money  and  lands,  to  a  consi- 
derable amount.  This,  it  was  confidently  hoped,  would 
produce  the  desired  eifect 

About  this  time  a  very  interesting  subject  was  submit- 
red  to  the  consideration  of  congress.  Twenty-three  Ame- 
rican soldiers,  taken  at  the  battle  of  Queenstown,  in  the 
autumn  of  1812,  were  detained  in  close  confinement  as 
British  subjects;  and  sent  to  England  to  undergo  a  trial 
for  treason.  On  this  being  made  known  to  our  govern- 
ment, orders  were  given  to  general  Deai liorn  to  confine  a 
like  number  of  British  prisoners  taken  at  fort  George,  and 
to  keep  them  as  hostages  for  the  safety  of  the  Americans; 
which  was  carried  into  eftect,  and  soon  after  made  known 
to  the  governour  of  Canada.  The  British  government 
was  no  sooner  informed  of  this,  than  governour  Prevost 
was  ordered  to  place  torty-six  American  officers  and  non- 
commissioned officers  in  confinement,  to  ensure  the  safety 
of  the  British  soldiers.  Governour  Prevost,  in  his  letter 
to  general  Wilkinson  upon  this  subject,  stated,  that  he  had 
been  directed  to  apprise  him,  that  if  any  of  tlie  Britisli 
prisoners  should  sufter  death,  in  consequence  of  any  of 
the  American  soldiers  being  found  guilty,  and  the  known 
law  of  Great  Britain  and  of  every  other  country  in  simi- 
lar circumstances  executed,  double  the  number  of  Ameri- 
can officers  and  non-commissioned  officers,  should  sufibr 
instant  death:  he  further  notified  the  general,  for  the  in- 
formation of  the  American  government,  that  orders  had 
been  given  to  the  British  commanders  to  prosecute  the 
war  with  unmitigated  severity,  if  after  this  notice,  the 
American  government  should  unhappily  not  be  deterred 
from  putting  to  death  any  of  the  British  soldiers  now  in 
conlinement.     General  VVilkinson,  in  his  reply,  forbore  to 

18* 


4,> 


:.f' 


!  ;  , 


^. 


11 


i 


- 1- 


^^^Jdm^Mmji^^i, 


210 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


animadvert  on  the  nature  of  the  procedure,  but  could  not 
help  expressing  his  surprise  at  the  threat  by  which  the 
British  government  supposed  the  United  States  could  be 
awed  into  submission.  "The  government  of  the  United 
States,"  said  he,  "cannot  be  deterred  by  any  consideration 
of  life  or  death,  of  depredation  or  conflagration,  from  the 
faithful  discharge  of  its  duty  towards  the  American  peo- 
ple." The  arrogance  and  haughtiness  of  Britain,  in  hold- 
ing this  language,  justly  excited  the  indignation  of  every 
American;  this  language  might  be  addressed  to  the  mise- 
rable nations  of  Asia,  upon  whom  she  has  been  in  the 
liabit  of  practising  every  species  of  lawless  violence;  but 
when  addressed  tO  a  people  who  are  proud  of  their  inde- 
pendence, and  jealous  of  their  national  honour,  which 
every  individual  feels  as  his  own,  so  far  from  intimidating, 
it  was  only  calculated  to  awaken  resistance.  General 
Wilkinson  soon  after  informed  governour  Prevost,  that, 
in  consequence  of  orders  he  had  received  fiom  his  go- 
vernment, he  had  put  forty-six  British  officers  in  confine- 
i»ent,  to  be  detained  until  it  should  be  known  that  the 
American  officers  were  released.  On  the  receipt  of  t!iis 
information,  the  governour  ordered  all  the  Americari  pri- 
soners into  close  confinement,  and  a  similar  step  was  soon 
after  taken  by  our  government. 

This  interesting  subject  gave  rise  to  warm  debates  in 
congress.  One  party  insisting  that  Great  Britain  had  a 
right  to  her  subjects,  in  all  situations  and  under  all  cir- 
cumstances; tliat  tkey  were  in  fact  her  property,  and 
without  her  consent  they  never  could  free  themselves 
from  her  authority;  they  contended  furtiier,  that  man 
cannot  divest  himself  of  allegiance  to  the  government 
or  prince,  of  the  country  in  which  he  happens  to  be  born: 
that  although  he  may  leave  the  country  of  his  birth  for  a 
.time,  he  never  can  expatriate  himself.  The  proceduie  of 
government  was  condemned  in  attempting  to  oppose  the 
British,  in  punishing  the  natives  of  Great  Britain,  who 
have  becR  naturalized  in  this  country,  and  have  taken  up 
arms  in  its  cause;  their  having  resided  amongst  us  ten 
years,  or  twenty  years  before  the  war,  being  immate- 
rial, they  must  be  regarded  in  the  same  light  as  deser- 
ters from  her  armies.      It  was  answered  on  the  other 


* 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


211 


W 


lid  not 
ch  the 
)uld  be 
United 
eration 
om  the 
an  peo- 
in  hold- 
)f  every 
le  mise- 
n  in  the 
nee;  but 
eir  inde- 
r,  which 
nidating, 
General 
ost,  that, 
I  his  go- 
I  confine- 
tliat  tl\e 
,t  of  this 
icaii  |)rir 
was  soon 


side,  that  it  ill  became  Americans  to  deny  the  right  of 
expatriation  on  principle,  however  we  mii^ht  from  neces- 
sity yield  to  the  unjust  laws  of  other  nations,  where  the 
individual  is  regarded  as  a  slave;  for  he   that  has  an 
owner  whom  he  cannot  change,  is  indeed  a  slave.     Can  it 
be  possible,  it  was  asked,  for  an  American  to  contend  on 
principle,  that  a  free  man  cannot  change  his  allegiance, 
and  attach  himself  to  the  country  of  his  choice,  but  must 
draff  a  chain  after  him  at  every  remove?     This  doctrine 
could  only  originate  in  that  species  of  slavery,  called  the 
feudal  system,  or  under  an  absolute  despot,  who  consi- 
ders ilia  subjects  as  without  any  rights.     The  doctrine 
indeed  is  closely  allied  to  that  of  the  divine  right  of  kings, 
or  rather  of  legitimate  sovereigns;  for,  according  to  some 
individuals,  even  in  this  country,  no  government  is  law- 
ful unless  it  exists  in  tlie  hands  of  some  one  who  claims 
it  by  birthright;  at  least,  that  this  is  the  only  just  foun- 
dation of  European  government^i.     Whatever  may  exist 
in  other  nations,  and   beyond    our  controul,  we  ought 
never  to  forget,  that  such  a  state  arises  from  their  cor- 
ruption or  weakness,  and  that  we  ought  sincerely  to  wish 
with  the  great  Washington,  in  his  farewell  address,  that 
they  could  be  altogetlier  as  we  arc.    If  we  ougiit  not  to 
reprobate  their  S3'stems,  let  ns  view  them  with  compas- 
sion; but  how  can  we  admire  them,  without  at  the  same 
time  despising  our  own  noble  institutions!  The  principle 
of  American  liberty  is,  tha'  no  man  is  born  a  slave,  and 
that  allegiance  is  a  matter  of  choice,  not  force;  and  how- 
ever we  might  unavoidably  give  way,  vv^liere  we  inter- 
fered   with   the  slavish   practices  of  other  nations,  we 
ought  never  to  approve  the  principle.     But,  it  was  con- 
tended, that  according  to  the  laws  of  nations  and  their 
uniform  practice,  the  right  of  expatriation  was  acknow- 
ledged.    Numerous  instances  were  cited,  where  the  sub- 
jects of  a  nation  were  taken  in  arms  against  her,  and 
regularly  exchanged;  the  practice  of  Great  Rritain,  in 
naturalizing  foreigners  was  cited,  by  which  they   were 
placed  on  tlie  same  footing  with  her  native  citizens,  and 
equally  entitled  to  protection.     She  could  not  object  to 
our  practice  of  naturalizing  her  subjects,  for  she  practis- 
ed the  same  thing  with  respect  to  our  citizens,  unless 


t '  ■ 

1              <1v 

1 

i 

I- 
'■(■ 

! 

r 

i!  ■ 


1  ti   'y 


(»■■ 


!'■■  ''■) 


I"    I 


!■..';!■ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


iinleed  it  be  contendec],  that  every  thing  she  docs  is  law- 
ful, while  the  same  thing  in  another  would  be  unlawful: 
Would  she  not  think  herself  bound  to  protect  her  adopt- 
ed subjects,  wiiom  she  solemnly  undertakes  to  protect 
against  all  the  world,  without  exception.  If  the  United 
States  alone  naturalized  foreigners,  the  case  might  tiien 
rest  on  its  principles;  but  when  the  same  thin^  is  prac- 
tised every  where,  v\  lio  has  a  ridit  to  complain?  A  case 
in  point  was  adduced;  to  shew  tlie  practice  of  the  British 
government,  where  she  was  difterentlv  situated;  havins: 
engaged  in  her  service  a  regiment  of  French  emigrants, 
to  serve  against  France,  the  c|iiestion  was  agitated  in  the 
house  of  commons,  whether  they  should  proceed  to  re- 
taliate, in  case  the  French  should  put  any  of  them  to 
death,  and  it  was  agreed  tiiat  such  would  have  been 
their  duty.  They  went  much  further  than  the  American 
government:  Lord  Mulgrave  declared  in  debate,  tliat, 
"while  he  had  the  command  of  the  British  troops  at  Tou- 
lon, and  the  French,  who  voluntarily  flocked  to  their 
standard,  under  the  authority  and  invitation  of  his  ma- 
jesty's proclamation,  he  had  always  considered  the  lat- 
ter as  entitled  to  the  same  protection  in  every  respect, 
as  the  British  troops.  Thus  it  appears,  that  both  in 
principle  and  practice,  the  conduct  of  Great  Britain  has 
been  similar  to  that  of  the  United  States. 

The  result  of  this  debate  was,  a  determination  to 
maintain  with  firmness  the  position  which  the  adminis- 
tration had  taken;  and  if  Great  Britain  persisted  in  the 
fell  resolution  of  rendering  the  war  bloody  beyond  the 
example  of  modern  times;  as  they  had  already  rendered 
it  most  barbarous  and  ferocious,  the  United  States  must 
reluctantly  pursue  a  course  to  be  lamented  by  every  man 
of  common  (uimanity. 

Somewhat  connected  with  this,  an  investigation  was 
set  on  foot,  as  to  the  spirit  and  manner  in  which  the  war 
had  been  carried  on  by  tiie  enemy.  The  report  of  the 
committee  enumerated  the  various  instances,  in  which 
the  British  military  and  naval  officers  had  violated  the 
known  usages  of  civilized  nations,  in  the  mode  of  prose- 
cuting this  war  against  the  United  States.  The  massacres 
on  the  river  Raisin,  the  depredations  and  conflagrations 


oiJ  the  lal, 
tJoji,  and 
-noken  of 
had  been  ( 
in  the  sani 
i?'e  for  ind 

cojitendinr 

of  Americ 

imagined;  i 

sc\etnl  hui 

light  or  air, 

ed  across  t 

Africans,  ir 

saiy  transf 

eountrvmerj 

and  all  exp 

treatment  v 

ti»h  prisonei 

Jnore  like   ,« 

f^lared   i^se 

that  Great 

most  flagrai 

pi'opriety  o 

fhsgracelful 

of  theenem^ 

the  unfortu. 

Jicr  before  ^ 

^'il^oiit  two  I 

and,  on  rfth\ 

pelled  toun 

prison e IS  o 

lage  upon  ou 

It  \vei-e  w 

service;  on 

lieve,  that  b^ 

to  obey  the" 

Pi-etence  tha 

ly  «ubjnitted| 

ed  to  be  t\\ 

01'  any  othe 

w''ii^hed  to  b 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


21:3 


law- 
vtulr 
lopt- 
Dtect 
nited 
then 
piac- 
.  case 
ritish 
aving 
rants, 
in  the 
to  re- 
em  to 
;  been 
eric  an 
,  til  at, 
t  Toii- 
[)  their 
is  ma- 
:he  lat- 
espect, 
joth  in 
ain  has 

tion  to 
dminis- 
iu  the 
ond  the 
jndered 
es  must 
ivy  man 


ion 
the 
•t 


was 

war 

of  the 


n 


which 
ated  the 
)f  prose- 
lassacres 
igration^ 


oil  liie  lakes,  before  tliore  existed  any  pretext  for  retalia- 
tion, and  the  barbarous  warfare  of  the  sea  coast,  were 
-noken  of  in  the  strongest  terms  of  indij?-nation.  The  wai* 
had  been  conducted,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  nearly 
ill  the  same  spirit,  as  at  the  commencement  of  our  strug- 
<r\i\  Uh'  independence;  she  appeared  to  be  actuated  by  a 
iHlief  that  she  was  chastising  rebellious  subjects,  and  not 
contending  with  an  independent  nation.  The  treatment 
of  American  prisoners  was  the  most  cruel  that  can  be 
iniapjincd;  the  ijorrours  of  the  prison  ships,  were  renewed; 
sc\eral  hundred  unl.appy  wretches  were  shut  up,  without 
ligiit  or  air,  in  the  holds  of  the  ships,  and  thus  transport- 
ed across  the  Atlantic,  stowed  together  like  miserable 
Africans,  in  tlie  slave  trade.  In  this  cruel  and  unneces- 
sary transportation  across  the  Atlantic,  many  of  our 
countrymen  perished  for  want  of  air  and  nourishment, 
and  all  experienced  sufferings  almost  incredible.  This 
treatment  was  contrasted  with  that  received  by  the  Bri- 
tisii  prisoners  in  this  country;  in  fact  tliey  were  treated 
more  like  guests  than  prisoners.  Tlie  committee  de- 
clared itself  satisfied,  from  the  evidence  submitted  to  it, 
that  Great  Britain  had  violated  the  laws  of  war,  in  the 
most  flagrant  manner;  and  submitted  to  congress  the 
j)ropriety  of  devising  some  mode  of  putting  a  stop  to  such 
disgraceful  conduct.  Amon.';?t  tlie  most  extraordinary 
of  the  enemy's  ac^,  Avas  the  putting  in  close  confinement 
tlic  unfortunate  Americans,  mIio  had  been  kidnapped  by 
her  before  the  war,  and  compelled  to  fight  her  battles. 
About  two  Ihonsand  were  acknowledged  to  be  Americans, 
and,  on  refusing  to  fight  against  their  country,  were  com- 
pelled to  undergo  the  same  treatment  as  if  they  had  been 
prisoners  of  war.  Thi^  was,  indeed,  accumulating  out- 
rage upon  outrage. 

It  were  well  if  this  had  been  the  wliole  number  in  lier 
service;  on  the  contrar}^  there  was  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  by  far  the  greater  part  were  still  compelled 
to  obey  the  ofiicers  who  had  enslaved  them,  under  the 
pretence  that  they  were  not  Americans.  Had  we  tame- 
ly submitted  under  such  a  grievance,  we  indeed  deserv- 
ed to  be  the  slaves  of  Geoige  the  third,  of  Napoleon, 
or  any  other  monarch,  and  our  posterity  would  have 
blushed  to  be  called  Americans. 


I* 


1". 


i 


^*^  *«J<fc:^..J«*..:^, 


214 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


It  has  been  rnentioncil,  that  Great  Britain  had  doc  [in 
ed  the  Russian  mediation,  under  the  flimsy  pretext  of 
beiiii:;  unwilling  to  submit  her  rights  to  the  decision  of  an 
umpire,  althou<5h  nothing  of  t'le  kind  was  proposed,  the 
interference  of  the  emperour  of  Russia  cxtendin«>;  no 
furtlicr  than  bringing  tlie  parties  <ogetiier.  The  prince 
regent,  however,  ofl'eicd  a  direct  negociation  at  London 
or  Gottenbuigh;  this  was  no  sooner  made  known  to  our 
goveinment,  than  accepted:  and  in  addition  to  the  com- 
missioners wlio  were  already  in  Europe,  under  the  Rus- 
sian mediation,  the  president  nominated  Henry  Clay, 
Jonathan  Russel,  and  Albert  Gallatin,  as  commissioners 
of  peace;  and  who  soon  after  left  this  country  for  Gott^.n- 
burg.  Little  more  was  expected,  however,  from  this, 
than  to  show  the  sincerity  of  the  United  States,  in  de- 
siring peace;  but  tlie  conduct  of  Great  Britain  already 
proved;  that  her  only  wish  was  to  keep  open  a  door  for  a 
treaty  when  necessity  should  compel  lier  to  assent  to  it. 
Subsequent  transactions  sufficiently  prove,  that  her  re- 
jection of  the  Rui^sian  mediation  was  a  pitiful  excuse  fur 
delay. 

Nothwithstanding  the  intemperate  opposition  on  the 
floor  of  congress,  the  war  was  evidently  gaining  ground; 
the  conduct  of  the  enemy,  in  the  prosecution  of  hostili- 
ties, was  .such  as  to  awaken  the  feelings  of  every  Ameri- 
can; and  the  rejection  of  the  Russian  mediation  stagger- 
ed many,  who  confidently  predicted  its  prompt  accept- 
ance. The  victories,  which  we  had  obtaiiied  at  bca, 
came  home  to  the  feelings  of  tlie  whole  nation,  and  weie 
claimed  exclusively  by  the  o])positi(!n,  as  having  always 
been  the  best  friends  to  the  navy.  The  British  actually 
complained,  that  those  whom  she  considered  her  friei.ds 
in  America,  should  rejoice  in  her  misfortunes;  and  ac- 
cused them  of  faithlessness  and  inconstancy,  because 
they  permitted  their  love  of  country  to  overcome  their 
hatred  for  the  men  in  power.  But  this  was  a  delightful 
proof  of  nationality,  such  as  might  have  been  exj;ected 
from  Britain  herself,  or  from  France,  though  not  from  a 
nation  so  recently  composed  of  independent  jarring 
states,  not  yet  perfectly  cemented.  It  becomes  every 
virtuous  man  to  rejoice  in  the  good  fortune  of  his  country, 


howevei-  I 

ment  was 

anccs   eve 

minds  of  i 

arms  daily 

tiii^uisl-Kd. 

jiiilly  spre; 

(h'lrty  yeai 

industrious 

lint  man  i: 

c\ist  l(»ng  ii 

lions,  \v\t\u 

ht'cn   diiTicu 

^vasat  first  I 

■^oon  become 


•'  chsfni  aiifl  ijr 

'>l"i,''<'"L'raI  ./;«• 
'"''fit-r!  at  il,n 
Creuk  war,  nu< 

Ol^r  affairs  i 
liad  assumed 
nortiie.rn   arm 
pnhViQk  at  tent 
^vhich  transp 
^lie  winter, 
open  war. 

fn  conseque 
>^i'tl),  and  thi 
^'le  Indians  in 
•^''^chell,  of  G 
"'■•^^  to  detach 
P"'"pose  of  cov( 


u 


HLSTOIIY  OF  THE  W  All. 


^[3 


eciia- 
ext  of 
of  ;m 
(1,  the 
n%  no 
])rince 
londou 
to  our 
e  com- 
e  Rus- 

Clay, 
sioucrs 
iott^'U- 
m  this, 
,  in  (le- 
already 
or  for  a 
nt  to  it. 

her  re- 
cuse fui 

on  the 

ground; 
hostili- 
Amcri- 

|sta^52;ei- 
accept- 
at   feca, 

Ind  wove 
al\vay:5 

[actuaUy 

and  ac- 
I because 

liie  their 
di^htlul 
ispected 
from  a 
jarrinj^, 
'S  every 
(country « 


however  he  may  dislike  the  present  rulers.  This  senti- 
ment was  j^raduaily  gaining;  j^round;  the  warlike  appear- 
ances every  where  displayed,  interested  the  ardent 
minds  of  the  young  aiul  enterprisini:^,  and  the  feats  of 
arms  <laily  recounted,  awakened  the  desire  of  being  dis- 
tiii'iuish.d.  The  contagion  of  military  pursuits  was  ra- 
jiidly  spreading.  Tiie  habits  of  a  people,  who  had  been 
thirty  years  at  peace,  and  constantly  occupied  in  their 
industrious  avocations,  could  not  be  changed  sud«letdj. 
But  ninn  is  every  where  by  nature  warlike,  and  cannot 
exist  long  in  the  midst  of  martial  scenes  and  prepara- 
tions, without  catci'iing  their  spirit.  It  would  not  have 
been  dilTicuIt  to  predict,  that  the  foreign  enemy,  which 
was  at  fust  re:;ar(le{i  only  as  the  enemy  of  a  party,  would 
"oon  become  the  enemy  of  the  country. 


CHAPTER  Xni. 


{jjTi  aftliirs  in  the  southward,  the  reader  will  recollect, 
had  assumed  a  serious  aspect,  and  no  sooner  liad  the 
nortliern  armies  retired  into  winter  quarte.  than  the 
piihlick  attention  v/as  kept  alive,  by  the  interest!.^  events 
which  transpired  in  the  country  of  the  Creeks,  during 
the  winter.  That  ill  fated  people  had  at  length  declared 
open  war. 

In  consequence  of  the  threatening  appearances  to  the 
south,  and  t'le  hostilities  which  already  prevailed  wit'i 
the  Indians  irdiabiling  the  Spanish  territory,  governour 
Mitchell,  of  Georgia,  was  required  by  the  secretary  at 
war,  to  detach  a  brigade  to  the  Oakmulgce  river,  for  the 
purpose  of  covering  the  frontier  iiettlements  of  the  statOi 


I' 


I 


f 


-~^^"   ^^^^^^^V  '   i .'ytiSlBfe 


Jta!M£'£iM;M... 


-^s^.i»a»i.M^.^^^ , 


C:l6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Govcrnour  Holinps  of  the  Mississippi  tcrrtory,  was  ai 
the  same  time  ordered  to  join  a  body  of  luiliiia  to  the 
volunteers  under  i5eneral  Claiborne,  then  stationed  on 
the  Mobile.  In  the  course  of  the  summer,  the  settlers  In 
i\\ii  vicinity  of  that  river,  became  so  much  alarmed  from 
the  hostile  denortment  of  the  Creeks,  that  the  j^reatcr 
part  abandonetl  their  plantations,  and  sought  refuj^e  in 
the  dirterent  forts;  while  the  peace  party  amongst  the 
Creeks,  ha<l  in  some  places,  shut  themselves  up  in  forts, 
and  were  besieged  by  their  counlrymen. 

The  commencement   of  hostilities  was  witnessed  by 
(MIC  of  the  most  shocking  massacres,  that  can  be  f(.und  in 
the  history  of  our  Indian  wars.     The  settlers,  from  an 
imperfect  idea  of  their  danger,  had  adopted  an  erroneous 
mode  of  ilefence,  by  throwing  themselves  into  small  forls 
or  slations,  at  great  distances  from  each  other,  on  the 
various  branches  of  the  Mobile.     Early  in  August  it  nas 
ascertained,  that  the  Indians  intended  to  make  an  attack 
upon  all  these  stations,  and  destroy  them  in  detail.    The 
first  place  which  they  would  attempt,  would  probably  be 
fort  Minis,  in  which  the  greatest  number  of  families  had 
been  collected.     Towards  the  latter  part  of  August,  in- 
formation was  brought  that  the  Indians  were  about  to 
make  an  attack  on  this  post,  but  unfortunately  too  little 
attention  was  paid  to  the  warning.     During  the  momen- 
tary continuance  of  the  alarm,  some  preparations  were 
made  for  defence,  but  it  seems  that  it  was  almost  impossi- 
ble to  rouse  them  from  their  unfortunate  disbelief  of  the 
proximity  of  their  danger.     The  fort  was  commanded  hy 
major  Beasly,  of  the  Mississippi  territory,  (a  brave  ofli- 
cer,  and  as  a  private  citizen  highly  respected,)   with 
about  a  hundred  volunteers  under  his  command.    By 
some  fatality,  notwithstanding  the  warnings  he   had  re- 
ceived, he  was  not  sufficiently  on  his  guard,  and  suttered 
himself  to  be   surprised  on  the  thirtieth,  at   noon-day. 
The  centinel  had  scarcely  time  to  notify  the  approach  oi 
the  Indians,  when  they  rushed,  with  a  dreadful  yell,  to- 
wards tlie  gate,  which  was  wide  open;  tlie  garrison  was 
instantly  under  arms,  and  the   major  flew  towards  the 
gate,  with  some  of  his   men,  in  order  to  close  it,  and  it 
possible  expel  the  enemy;  but  he  soon  after  fell  mortalh 


>vonnd 
slaugh 
tiikon  ] 
cxpell(! 

assault 
tlie  pic] 
the  assf 
.  The  I 
disheaH 
their  tlii 
f^iry  to  i 
^d  to  cui 
hrcach  ii 
a'va  of  i\ 
t'le  hous( 
<'ie  India 
Hon  of  th 
less.     Th 
and  chi'd] 
I-''v  in  thi 
Mtine  fain 
the  hoiToi 
terrour  o 
hereft  the 
3t  the  reci 
these  mon 
^^^  infant, 
butchery;  j 
i"to  the  tla 
pickets,  w 
'nassacre. 
^^^^  and  s 
''idians,  an 
caused  at  t 

catastrophe 
'laf^/tants,  r 
<^^  fancied  s 
p"deavom-s 
<"'  '^ufferin-. 
P'<»!)ab/v  as 
'^"'•nt,  and  i 


S€ 


■"-^ 


llliSTORV  OF   rilE  WAU. 


jair 


was  at 
,  to  tho 
ncil  on 
t\ers  in 
hI  fiom 
{rrcattM- 
»fu»;;i^  in 

in  forts, 

;s8e*l  by 
f'.ium\  in 
from  an 
erroneous 
juaU  forts 
er,  on  the 
rust  it  ^vas 
'  an  attack 
.tail.    Ti^e 
jrobably  be 
LnViUesbail 

.uji^ust,  bi- 
le about  to 
y  too  little 
\\^Q  momeu- 
.tlons  were 
,st  impossi- 
,\\cf  of  the 
nianded  l)v 
brave  olh- 

.ted.)   ^vi^^^ 

Imand.    ^) 

he  badre- 

^nd  suftereO 

Tioon-day. 

lapproacb  ot 

iarrison  was 

[towards  the 

.se  it,  and  it 

fell  niortaU! 


wounded.  T\\^  gate  was  at  Icnii^th  close<l,  after  ji^rcat 
slauj^hter  on  both  sides;  but  a  number  of  tlu'  Indians  had 
taken  possession  of  a  block-house,  from  whieii  they  were 
expelled,  after  a  bloody  contest,  by  ca|)tain  Jack.  The 
assault  was  still  continue<l  for  an  hour,  on  the  outside  of 
the  pickets;  the  port  holes  were  several  times  carried  by 
tlie  assailants,  and  retaken  bv  those  within  the  fort. 

The  Indians  now  for  a  moment  withdrew,  apparently 
disheartened   by  their  los^,  but  on  bein;^  harangued  by 
their  chief  Weatherford,  ti»ey  returned   with  aui;;mented 
fiu'y  to  the  assault;  havin;^  procure<l  axes,  they  proceed- 
ed to  cut  down  the  ji;ate,  ami  at  the  same  time  niade  a 
breach  in  the   pickets,  and  possessinj^  themselves  of  the 
area  of  the  fort,  compelled  the  besieged  to  take  refuse  in 
the  houses.     Here  they  made  a  j^allant  resistance,  but 
the  Indians  at  length  settin;:;  lire  to  the  roofs,  the  situa- 
lion  of  these  unfoitunate  peoj)le  became  altou;ether  hope- 
less.    The  agonrz-inj^  shrieks  of  the  unfortunate  women 
and  chiltlrcn  at  their  utdiapipy  fate,  would  have  awakened 
pity  in  the  breasts  of  tygers;  it  is  only  by  tnose  who  have 
some  faint  idea  of  the  nature   of  Indian  warfare,  that 
the  horrour  of  their  situation  can  be   conceived.     The 
terrour  of  the  scene  had  alieady  been  sullicient  to  have 
bereft  them  of  their  senses;  but  what  heart  does  not  bleed 
at  the  recital  of  its  realities.     Not  a  soul  was  spared  by 
these  monsters;  from  the  most  aged  perscm  to  the  young- 
e^it   infant,  they  became  the  victims   of  indiscriminate 
butchery;  and  some,  to  avoid  a  worse  fate,  even  rushe<i 
into  the  tlames.     A  few  only  escaped  by  leapinji^over  the 
pickets,  while  the  Indians  were  enoaged  in  the  work  of 
miissacre.     About  two  hundred  and  sixty  peivons  of  all 
aj^e^,  and  sexes,  thus  perished,  including  some  f;  iendly 
Indians,  and  about  one  hundred   negroes,     'i'he  panick 
caused  at  the  other  posts,  or  stations,  by   this  dreadful 
catastrophe,  can  scarcely  be  described;  the  wretched  in- 
habitants, fearing  a  similar  fate  abandoned  theii-  retreats 
of  fancied  security  in  the  middle  of  the  ni,^ht,  and  in  their 
endeavours  to  escape  to  Mobile,  encountered  every  species 
ol'suttering.     The  dwellings  of  these  settlers,  (who  were 
probably  as  numerous  as  the  whole  tribe  of  Creeks,)  wore 
burnt,  and  their  cattle  destroyed.     Savage  man  is  little 

19 


!• 

ll 

? 

'1 

1     ■* 

j  \ 

!f 

1    -' 

'*'\t 

1 

1 

',r 


^^^^■i^mnm^m.. 


J2I8 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAR. 


bettor  than  a  wild  beast;  it  is  unaccountable  Iiow  some 
feel  a  compassion  for  such  men,  and  can  re';;ard  uninoviMl, 
the  horrours  which  they  ha))itualiy  jjerpetrate  a!:;alnst 
foes  ot  every  kind.  Could  tliese  people  cotnpiain  of  our 
liavinjuj  i.ijured  theui?  Never  was  there  a  foot  of  «»;rouinl 
taken  from  them;  and  besides,  accoi-din«^  to  their  ouri 
tiadition,  it  is  not  a  century  since  they  possessed  thenj- 
seives  of  the  country,  by  extirjHJtinij;  (he  ri;;ht  owneis; 
nolhinjr  but  the  basest  inj^catWude  could  have  actuated 
them,  under  the  instillations  of  our  no  less  cruel  enemy. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  disastious  intelli«i;ence,  the  Ten- 
nessee niilitia,  under  the  orders  of  {general  Jackson  ainl 
«2,eneial  Cocke,  immediately  niarched  to  the  country  of 
the  Creeks.  On  tlie  second  of  November  general  CottVe 
was  detached,  witii  nine  hundred  men,  a«i;ainst  the  Tal- 
lushatches  towns,  and  readied  the  place  about  day-li^ht 
the  next  morning.  The  Indians,  apprised  of  his  ap- 
proach, were  prenaied  to  receive  him.  Within  a  short 
distance  of  the  village  the  enemy  charji|;ed  upon  him,  with 
a  boiuDess  seldom  displayed  by  Indians.  'I'hey  were  le- 
]>ulsed,  a?id  vSiav  the  most  obstinate  resistance,  in  which 
they  would  receive  no  quarters,  ihey  were  slain  almost  to 
a  man,  and  their  women  and  children  taken  prisoners. 
There  were  nearly  two  hundred  of  their  warriours  killed 
in  this  affair.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  five  killed 
and  fort^  wounded. 

Late  in  the  morning  of  the  seventh,  a  friendly  Indian 
brouy;ht  intelligence  to  general  .lacks  ..,  that  about  thir- 
ty miles  below  his  camp,  there  were  »i  suiinber  of  Creeks 
collected  at  a  place  called  Talledega,  where  they  were 
enjiaged  in  besieging  a  number  of  friendly  Indians,  who 
must  inevitably  perish  unless  speedily  relieved.  Tins 
officer',  whose  resolutions  were  as  rapidly  executed  as  they 
were  formed,  maiched  at  twelve  o'clock  the  same  ni;:4lit, 
at  the  head  of  twelve  hundred  men,  and  arrived  within 
six  miles  of  the  place  the  next  evening.  At  midnight  lie 
ajLi^ain  advanced,  by  seven  o'clock  was  within  a  mile  of 
the  enemy,  and  immediately  made  the  most  judicious 
arrangements  for  surrounding  them.  Having  approach- 
ed in  this  manner  almost  unperceived,  within  eiL^hty 
yards  of  the  Indians,  the  battle  commenced  on  their  part 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAU. 


C19 


V  some 

a!j!;!unst 
11  of  our 

j»;rouiul 
I'if  own 

«(l  tluMVl- 

owiHMs; 
.ictuat'^i 
1  enemy, 
the  Ten- 
kson  ami 
ountrv  of 
•a\  C'ortVe 
t  the  'I'al- 

aay-Vii;l\t 
f  his  ap- 
lin  a  slioit 

him,  with 
y  were  re- 
in which 
almost  to 

prisoners. 

mrs  killed 

five  killcil 


uith  Croat  fMry,  hut  !)einq:  repuNoiI  on  all  sides,  they  at- 
te!ni>t!Ml  to  mako  their  es»  ape,  hut  soon  found  llieniNclveis 
enelosed;  two  rompanies  havini;  at  first  iri^en  way,  a 
space  was  left  through  which  a  considerable  nnmhcr  of 
the  eiXMny  escaped,  and  were  pursued  to  the  mountains 
uiili  y,reat  slaui^hter.  In  this  action  the  American  loss 
was  fifteen  killed  and  eighty  woumh'd.  That  of  the 
(reeks  was  little  short  of  three  hundred;  their  whole 
foice  exceeded  a  thousand. 

(ieneral  Cocke,  wlu>  commanded  the  other  division  of 
tin'  Tennessee  militia,  on  the  eleventh  detached  2;eneral 
White  from  fort  Armstronj^,  where  he  was  encamped, 
a"j;ainst  the  hostile  towns  on  the  Tallapoose  river.  After 
inarchin«»;  the  whole  niu;ht  of  the  seventeenth,  he  surnris- 
e<l  a  town  at  day  light,  containing  upwards  of  three  hun- 
dred warriours,  sixty  of  whom  were  killed  and  the  rest 
taken  prisoners,  llavin;^  burnt  several  of  their  villai>,es 
which  had  been  deserted,  he  returned  ou  the  twenty-third, 
without  h»sinj^  a  sinii;le  man. 

The  Geor;^ia  nulitia,  under  general  Floyd,  advanced 
into  the  Creek  country,  about  the  last  of  the  montli. 
Receiving  information  that  a  great  number  of  Indians 
were  collected  at  the  Autossee  towns,  on  the  Tallapoose 
river,  a  place  which  they  called  their  beloved  ground, 
an<l  wliere,  according  to  their  prophets,  no  white  man 
could  molest  them,  general  Floyd,  placing  himself  at 
the  head  of  nine  hundred  militia,  and  four  hundred 
friendly  Creeks,  marc.ied  from  his  encampment  on  the 
Chatahouchie.  On  the  evening;'  of  the  twcnty-eightli,  he 
encampe<l  within  ten  miles  of  the  place,  and  rcsumitifj; 
his  march  at  one  o'clock,  reached  the  towns  ab«Hit  six, 
and  commenced  an  attack  upon  both  at  the  same  mo- 
ment. His  troops  were  met  by  the  Indians  with  uncom- 
mon bravery;  and  it  was  not  until  after  an  obstinate  re- 
sistance, that  they  were  forced,  by  his  musketry  anil 
bayonets,  to  fly  to  the  thickets  and  copses  in  the  rear  (4 
the  towns.  In  the  course  of  three  hours  tlie  enemy  was 
completely  defeated,  and  tlie  vinai;;es  in  flames.  Eleven 
Americans  were  killed  and  fifty  wounded,  among  t!ie  lat- 
ter the  general  himself:  of  the  enemy,  it  is  snp|-'<*seu  that, 
besides  the  Autossee  and  Taliassee  kings,  upwards  of  two 
hundred  were  killed.  . 


r 


.r' 


I    f 


■■«i-«>iift6fcMft.fcA. 


'.2^Q 


HISTORY  OF  THE  W'AK. 


This  just  retribution,  it  was  hoped,  would  biiiip;  these 
u  retailed  creatures  to  a  pro^^'er  sense  of  their  situations; 
but  unfortunately  it  had  not  this  effect,  they  still  persist- 
ed in  their  hostilities  against  us.  In  the  month  of  J)e- 
(  ember,  general  Claiborne  marched  a  detachment  against 
1  lie  towns  of  Eccanachaca,  on  the  Alabama  river.  On  the 
twenty-second, he  came  suddenly  upon  them,  killed  thir- 
ty of  their  warriours,  and  after  destroying  their  villages, 
returned  with  a  trifling  loss. 

After  the  battle  of  Tallede^a,  general  Jackson  was  left 
with  but  a  handful  of  men,  in  consequence  of  the  term 
of  service  of  the  militia  having  expired.  On  the  four- 
Leentli  of  January  he  was  fortunately  reinforced  by  eight 
Ikundred  volunteers  from  Tennessee,  and  soon  after  by 
several  hundred  friendly  Indians.  He  was  also  joined 
b^  '.'cneral  Coft'ec  with  a  number  of  officers,  his  militia 
h;n  iiij^  returned  home.  On  the  seventeenth,  with  a  view 
of  midiing  a  diversion  in  favour  of  general  Floyd,  and 
at  the  same  time  of  relieving  fort  Armstrong,  which 
was  said  to  be  thrcatenetJ,  he  penetrated  the  Indian  coun- 
try. On  the  evening  of  the  tMenty-first,  believing  him- 
self, from  appearances,  in  the  vicinity  of  a  laige  body 
of  Indians,  he  encamped  with  great  precaution,  and 
placed  himself  in  the  best  attitude  of , defence.  Some 
time  in  the  night,  one  of  his  spies  brought  information 
that  he  had  seen  the  enemy  a  few  miles  off,  and  from 
(heir  being  busily  engaged  in  sending  away  their  women 
and  children,  it  was  erident  they  b^d  discovered  the 
Americans,  and  would  either  escape  or  make  an  attack 
before  morning.  While  the  troops  were  in  this  state  of 
j-eadiness,  they  were  vigorously  attacked  on  their  left 
riauk  about  daylight;  the  enemy  was  resisted  with  firm- 
ness, and  after  a  severe  contest,  they  lied  in  every  di- 
rection. This  was,  howeve?-,  soon  discovered  to  he  a 
i'cini;  geneial  Coft'ee  having  been  detached  with  four 
hundred  men,  to  destroy  the  enemy's  camp,  with  direc- 
tions not  to  attack  it,  if  strongly  fortified,  returned  with 
iuloin^ation  that  it  would  not  be  prudent  to  attempt  it 
witiout  artillery;  a  half  an  hour  had  scarcely  elapsed, 
when  the  enemy  commenced  a  fierce  attack  on  Jackson's 
left  thuik.    it  seems  they  had  intended,  by  the  first  onset, 


to  drav 
create 
by  Jac 
Genera 
vohinte 
two  hu 
right. 
chariTcd 
fled  wit 
the  eont 
was  sev( 
on  being 
c(Hnpelj« 
ours  on 
Gener 
fortified 
want  of 
before  ni 
gerous  d 
had    to  c 
might  ex 
he  therefi 
«iost  judi 
dispositio 
vvard  tow 
guard,  wi 
wounded, 
alarm  wa;? 
orders  for 
pivot,  and 
the  Hanks 
enclose  th 
^vhen  the 
>i  few  guns 
unaccount 
along  with 
ing  not  mo 
colonel  Ca 
overwhelm 
^0  the  ene 
guard,  the 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


to  draw  the  Americans  into  a  pursuit,  and  l)y  thai  nican-^ 
croate  a  confusion;  but  this  was  complotvly  preve^iled 
by  Jackson's  causinii;  his  loft  flank  to  kci^p  its  po^itioi;. 
Goneral  Coffee,  with  about  fifty  of  his  oiliceis,  actin:;  a-? 
vohinteers,  assailed  tlie  fndians  on  the  left,  while  a'joMt 
two  hundred  friendly  Indians  came  upon  them  on  the 
rijiiht.  The  wiiole  line  giving  them  one  fire,  resolutely 
charged;  and  the  enemy  being  disappointed  in  their  plan, 
fled  with  precipitation.  On  the  left  flank  of  the  Indians 
the  contest  was  kept  up  some  time  longer;  general  C^oiVee 
was  severely  wounded,  and  his  aid,  A.  Donaldson,  killeJ; 
on  being  reinforced  by  a  party  of  the  friendly  imlians,  he 
compelled  tlie  enemy  to  tiy,  leaving  fifty  ot  tlieir  warri* 
ours  on  the  ground. 

General  Jackson,  being  apprehensive  of  another  attack, 
fortified  his  camp  for  the  night;  the  next  day,  fearing  a 
want  of  provisions,  he  found  it  necessary  to  retreat,  a.ul 
before  night  reached  Enotachopco,  having  passed  a  dan- 
gerous defile  witlnmt  interruption.  In  the  morning  he 
had  to  cross  a  defile  still  more  dangerous,  where  he 
might  expect  that  the  enemy  had  formed  an  ambuscade; 
he  therefore  determined  to  pass  at  some  other  point.  Tl.e 
most  judicious  arrangements  having  been  made  for  the 
disposition  of  his  force  in  case  of  attack,  he  moved  for- 
ward towards  the  pass  which  he  had  selected.  Tlie  front 
guard,  witlt  part  of  the  flank  c(dumns,  together  with  Una 
Mounded,  had  scarceh'^  crossed  the  creek,  when  the 
alarm  was  given  in  the  rear.  Jackson  immediately  gave 
orders  for  his  right  and  left  columns  to  wheel  on  their 
pivot,  and  crossing  the  stream  above  and  below,  assail 
the  flanks  and  rear  of  the  enemy,  and  thus  completely 
enclose  them.  But,  to  his  astonisiimentand  mortiiicatioih 
wiien  the  word  was  given  for  these  columns  to  form,  and 
a  few  guns  were  fired,  they  precipitately  gave  wi>y.  This 
unaccountable  flight  had  well  nigh  proved  fatal:  it  drew 
along  with  it  the  greater  part  of  the  centre  column,  leav- 
ing not  more  than  twenty-five  men,  who  bein;^  formcMl  by 
colonel  Carrol,  maintained  their  gromid  for  a  time  agai:ist 
overwhelming  numbers.  All  that  C(nild  now  b.'  opposed 
to  the  enemy,  were  the  few  who  remained  of  the  rear 
guard,  Ihe  artillery  company,  and  captain  UujitJ's  cQa> 

19^ 


-  m 


,f.-. 


v 


1; 


1;:       f 


■■,^— •' 


~!»lua6Sl«Jt»*iv<fr«**»«>«^i 


222 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAtt. 


paiiy  of  spies.  Their  conduct,  however,  was  admirable. 
Lieutenant  Armstron"-,  with  the  utmost  coolness  and  in- 
trepidity, drago-ed,  with  the  assistance  of  a  few  more, 
the  six  pounder  up  tiie  liill,  althouu;h  exposed  to  a  heavy 
lire;  and  having  gained  his  position,  loaded  the  piece 
with  grape,  and  fired  it  with  such  effect,  that  after  a  few 
discharges,  the  enemy  was  repulsed.  The  Indians  wore 
j)ursued  for  several  miles,  by  colonel  Carrol,  colonel 
Higgins,  and  captains  Klliot  and  Pipkins.  Captain  Gor- 
don, of  the  spies,  had  partly  succeeded  in  turning  their 
flanks,  and  by  this  impetuous  charge,  contributed  greatly 
to  restore  the  day.  The  Araericans  now  continued  their 
march  without  further  molestation.  In  these  difterent 
engagements,  about  twenty  Americans  were  killed  and 
seventy-five  wounded;  in  the  last  about  one  hundred  and 
eighty  of  tlie  Creeks  were  slain. 

Meanwhile  general  Floyd  was  advancing  towards  the 
Indian  territory,  from  the  Chatahouchie  river.  On  the 
I  wenty-seventh  of  Januaiy  Iris  camp  was  attackeil  by  a 
large  body  of  Indians,  about  an  hour  before  day.  They 
stofe  upon  the  centinels,  fired  upon  them,  and  then  rush- 
ed Vvith  great  impetuosity  towards  the  line.  The  action 
soon  became  general;  the  front  of  both  flanks  was  close- 
ly pressed,  but  the  firmness  of  the  officers  and  men  re- 
pelled their  assaults  at  every  point.  As  soon  as  it  be- 
came sufticiently  light,  general  Floyd  strengthened  his 
right-wing,  an<l  formed  his  cavalry  in  the  rear,  then  di- 
rected a  charge;  the  enemy  were  driven  before  the  bay- 
onet, and  being  pursued  by  the  cavalry,  many  of  theni 
were  killed.  The  loss  of  general  Floyd  was  seventeen 
killed  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  wounded.  That 
ol  the  Indians  could  not  be  ascertaui'^d;  thirty-seven  ot' 
their  warriours  were  left  dead  on  the  field,  but  it  i;j 
ihoMght  their  loss  was  very  considerable. 

By  this  time,  it  might  be  supposed  that  the  Creeks  had 
been  satisfied  with  tlie  experiment  of  war,  but  they  ap- 
[)ear  to  have  been  infatuated  in  a  most  extraordinary  de- 
cree. From  the  influence  of  their  prophets  over  their 
superstitious  minds,  they  were  lead  on  from  one  ruinous 
etlbrt  to  another,  in  hopes  that  the  time  would  at  last  ar- 
iiv«^,  Avhen  tiieir  enemies  would  be  delivered  into  their 


hand.' 

reinfc 

numb 

the  T 

the  t\ 

tremit 

place 

furnisl 

the  Cr 

their  li 

ed  a  bi 

from  fi 

NOW  of 

eonside 
would  r 
and  en 
area  thi 
of  one 
Oaksha 
had  coll 
ing  a  til 
Early 

Jackson 
miles  o 
mountet 
to  pass  t 
encampi 
that  non 
the  rive  I 
son  adva 
past  ten^ 
eighty  y, 
t«vo  hunc 
iide  was 
Itept  up 
tured  to 
nieai>tim 
vanced  U 
vvhich  stc 
§ave  thei 
"rew  up 


m 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


dor 


L'- ' 


and  iii- 
,v   more, 
a  heavy 
le   piece 
ler  a  few 
ans  were 
,   colonel 
tain  Gor- 
ling  tl\e\r 
t(\  greatly 
lued  theii- 
dift'erent 
killed  and 
ndred  and 

nvards  the 

r.    On  the 

Lcked  by  a 

^ay.    They 

then  nisii- 

_'he  action 

was  close- 

ud  men  re- 

m  as  it  be- 

^thened  his 

'r,  then  di- 

iVQ  the  bay 

ny  of  them 

s  seventeen 

ided.     That 

rty-seven  ot 

d,  but  it  ii 

Creeks  had 
mt  they  ap- 
ordinary  de- 
ts  over  theu' 

one  ruinous 
lid  at  last  ai- 
led into  thciv 


hands.  General  Jackson  having  received  considerable 
reinforcements  from  Tennessee,  and  being  joined  by  a 
number  of  friendly  Indians,  set  out  on  an  expedition  to 
the  Tallapoose  river.  He  proceeded  from  tiie  Coose  on 
the  twenty-fourth  of  Marcli,  reached  the  southern  ex- 
tremity of  the  New  Youca  on  the  twenty-seventh,  at  a 
place  called  the  Horse-shoe-bend  of  the  Coose.  Nature 
furnishes  few  situations  so  eligible  for  defence,  and  here 
the  Creeks,  by  the  direction  of  their  prophets,  had  made 
their  last  stand.  Across  the  neck  of  land  they  liad  erect- 
ed a  breastwork  of  the  greatest  compactness  and  strength, 
from  live  to  eight  feet  high,  and  provided  with  a  double 
Kow  of  port-holes  artfully  arranged.  In  this  place  they 
considered  themselves  perfectly  secure;  the  assailants 
ffould  not  approach  without  being  exposed  to  a  double 
and  cross  lire  from  the  Indians  who  lay  behind.  The 
area  thus  enclosed  by  the  breastworks,  was  little  short 
of  one  hundred  acres.  The  warriours  from  Oakfuskee, 
Oakshaya,  Hilebees,  the  Fish  Ponds,  and  Flupata  towns, 
had  collected  their  force  at  tliis  place,  in  number  exceed- 
ing a  thousand. 

Early  in  the  irnrning  of  the  twenty-seventh  general 
Jackson  having  encamped  the  preceding  night  within  six 
miles  of  the  bend,  detached  general  Coffee,  with  the 
mounted  men  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Indian  force, 
to  pass  the  river  at  a  ford  about  three  miles  below  tlieir 
encampment,  and  to  surround  the  bend  in  such  a  manner, 
that  none  of  them  siiould  escape  by  attempting  to  cross 
the  river.  With  the  remainder  of  his  force,  general  Jack- 
son advanced  to  the  point  of  the  breastwork,  and  at  half 
past  ten,  planted  his  artillery  on  a  small  eminence  within 
eighty  yards  of  the  nearest  point  of  the  work,  and  within 
tv/o  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  farthest.  A  brisk  cannon- 
ade was  opened  upon  the  centre,  and  a  severe  fire  was 
kept  up  with  musketry  and  rifles,  when  the  Indians  ven- 
tured to  show  themselves  behind  their  defences.  In  the 
mear.'time,  general  Coffee  having  crossed  below,  had  ad- 
vanced towards  the  village;  when  within  half  a  mile  of  that 
which  stood  at  the  extremity  of  the  peninsula,  the  Indians 
aave  their  yell;  Coffee  expecting  an  immediate  attack, 
orew  up  his  men  in  order  of  battle,  and  in  tliis  manner 


'«(!' 


Li' if 

I 


% 


I 


n 


,^1 


mi 


-i—iEZS, 


224 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


continued  to  move  forward.  The  friendly  Indians  liad 
previously  taken  possession  of  the  buik,  for  tlie  purpose 
of  preventing  the  retreat  of  the  enemy;  but  they  no  sooner 
heard  the  artillery  of  Jackson,  and  the  approach  of  Coffee, 
than  they  rushed  forward  to  the  banks;  while  the  militia, 
apprehending  an  attack  from  the  Oakfuskee  villages,  were 
obliged  to  remain  in  order  of  battle.  The  friendly  In- 
dians, unable  to  remain  silent  spectators,  began  to  fne 
across  the  stream,  about  one  hundred  yards  wide,  while 
some  plunged  into  the  river,  and  swimming  aci'oss,  brought 
back  a  number  of  canoes;  in  these  the,  greater  part  em- 
barked, landed  on  the  peninsula,  then  advanced  into  the 
village,  drove  the  enemy  from  their  huts  up  to  the  fortiii- 
cations,  and  continued  to  annoy  them  during  the  whole 
action.  This  movement  of  the  Indians,  rendered  it  ne- 
cessary that  a  part  of  Coffee's  line  should  take  their  place. 

General  Jackson  finding  that  his  arrangements  weie 
complete,  at  length  yielded  to  the  earnest  solicitations  of 
his  men  to  be  led  to  the  charge.  The  regular  troops  led 
by  colonel  Williams  and  major  Montgomery,  were  in  a 
moment  in  possession  of  the  nearest  part  of  the  breast- 
works: the  militia  acco.npanied  them  with  equal  firmness 
and  intrepidity.  Havitig  maintai  led  for  a  few  minutes  a 
very  obstinate  cojitost,  muzzle  to  muzzle  through  the  port- 
holes, they  succeeded  in  gaining  the  opposite  side  of 
the  works.  The  event  could  no  longer  !)e  doubtful;  the 
enemy,  tlthoug'j  iwmiy  of  them  fought  with  that  kind  of 
bravery  which  desperation  insj)ires,  were  cut  to  pieces. 
The  whole  ma?gin  of  the  river,  which  surrounded  the  pe- 
ninsula, was  strewed  with  the  slain.  Five  hundred  and 
fiftv-sf^ven  were  found,  besides  those  thrown  into  the  river 
by  their  friends,  or  drowned  in  attempting  to  escape.  Not 
more  than  fifty  could  have  escaped.  Among  the  slain  vvas 
their  great  prophet  Maiiahoe,  an<l  two  others  of  less  note. 
About  three  hundred  women  and  children  were  taken  pri- 
soners. Jackson's  loss  was  twenty-six  white  men  killed, 
and  one  hundred  and  seven  wounded;  eighteen  Chei  >kees 
killed  and  thirty-six  woujjded;  and  five  friendly  Creeks 
killed  and  eleven  v.  ounded. 

This  most  decisive  victory  put  an  end  to  the  Cieek 
■war.     The  spirit  and  power  of  tnese  misguided  men  wero 


»onipl 

tries  0 

on  tht 

'I'lie  gj 

(lirevv 

inent  o 

foniMia 

Alaban: 

of  Cree 

In  th( 

tilted  to 

agieed  i 
for  thQ  ^ 

'1^"  openii 
h"bcity  o; 
^i^hl  no  i 
{fairison, 
*''oni  whi 
part  of  t\ 
>eiritory, 
tion  of"  til 
t^JUsly  wi< 
)iu'e  for  th 
j'^g-  houses, 
former  sta| 
It  is  tru 
bribes,  wh 
tion.     Tin 
herds,  whi 
"delves  at  a, 
*hey  will  bi 
ferexperi 


lll^sTOUY  0¥  TliE  WAR. 


s  had 

rpose 

oonev 

>)ftee, 

lilitia, 

,  were 

lly  In- 
to tire 

,  wUUa 

n'oii^Ut 

art  eui- 

uto  the 

.  fortiii- 

e  \vlu)le 

d  it  ne- 

\v  place. 

xU  were 

at  ions  ct 

[•oops  led 

jvere  ma 

»  breast- 
ftrmness 

Ininutes  a 
the  port- 
.  siue  of 
jtful;  ^he 
tt  kind  of 
0  pieces. 
'd  the  pe- 
dred  and 
the  river 

ape.  ^'^^ 
slain  was 
less  note. 
[taken  pn- 
n  kilUnh 
Jhei  >kees 
\\y  Creeks 

|the  Creek 
wen  vvev'^^ 


I  mnpleti'ly  broken;  Jackson  soon  after  scoured  the  coun- 
tries on  the  Coose  and  Taliapoose;  a  party  of  the  enemy, 
on  the  latter  river,  on  his  approach,  lieu  to  Pensacola. 
The  <j;ieater  part  of  the  Creeks  now  came  forward  and 
threw  themselves  on  tlie  mercy  of  the  victors.  A  detach- 
ment of  militia  from  North  and  South  Carolina,  under  the 
cotnmand  of  colonel  Pearson,  scoured  the  country  on  tiio 
Alabama,  and  received  the  submission  of  a  great  number 
of  Creek  warriours  and  their  prophets. 

In  the  course  of  the  summer  a  treaty  of  peace  was  dic- 
tated to  tiiem  by- Jackson,  on  severe  but  just  terms.  They 
agreed  to  yield  a  portion  of  their  country  as  an  indemnity 
for  t!ie  expenses  of  the  war;  they  conceded  the  privilege 
of  opening  roads  throuj^h  their  country,  together  with  the 
liberty  of  navigating  their  rivers;  they  also  stipulated  to 
hold  no  intercourse  with  any  British  or  Spanish  post,  or 
garrison,  and  to  deliver  up  the  property  they  had  taken 
iVoni  whites  or  friendly  Indians.  Tiie  general,  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States,  undertook  to  ijuarantee  their 
territory,  to  restore  all  their  prisoners,  and  in  considera- 
tion of  their  destitute  situation,  to  furnish  them  gratui- 
tously with  the  necessaries  of  life,  until  they  could  pro- 
viile  Tor  themselves.  They  also  engaged  to  establish  trad- 
ing houses,  and  endeavour  to  bring  back  the  nation  to  their 
former  state. 

It  is  truly  distressing  to  contemplate  the  ruin  of  these 
tribes,  who  were  making  such  rapid  advances  to  civiliza- 
tion. Their  villages  were  entirely  destroyed,  and  their 
herds,  which  had  become  numerous,  were  killed  by  them- 
selves at  an  early  part  of  the  contest.  It  is  to  be  hoped, 
they  will  be  restored  to  their  former  prosperity,  thouij;h 
then*  experience  has  been  dearly  bought. 


!'- 


220 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR- 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


GciKM'al  Wiikiiison  retires  to  Plaltsburg-^-Geiienil  Brown  marches  trt 
tlic  IS iagarii  tVdiitier — ARair  of  I^  Colle — Kvertioiis  of  conuno(l(ue 
M'lJoiiough  U)  crcatt!  a  fiaval  t'o.-ce — Contest  For  sup.;i'ioi-ity  on  Lake 
Ontario — Att^u-k  of  Oswego — Ot'atli  of  eoioiiel  Forsyth;'— C(»lo:u?! 
C'anipbeirs  exiiefVition— (lallr.iit  <lef(  nee  of  captaiji  Holmes— Serious 
pj'isis  in  thi>  stale  of  our  affaii's—- Commodore  Hardy  invudes  the  nor- 
tliern  sea-r.  )ast — Takes  iiossessioii  uf  Eastport  and  Caiitiue— Callant 
defence  of  i5(o.'.iii|^ton. 

After  the  failure  of  the  campaign  against  the  British 
provinces,  the  northern  army  remained  in  winter  quarters, 
without  any  material  occurrence,  until  towards  tlie  latter 
end  of  February.  General  Wilkinson  had  submitted  se- 
veral plans  of  attack,  on  the  ditterent  British  posts  in  his 
vicinity,  with  a  view  of  cu^'ing  oft" the  communication  be- 
tween Upper  and  Lower  anada;  these,  however,  did  not 
meet  the  approbation  of  the  secretary  at  war:  who  y;ave 
orders  that  the  American  force  shouldf  be  withdrawn  from 
its  present  position,  and  stationed  at  Plattsburgh;  and  that 
two  thousand  men  should  be  marched  under  general 
Urown  to  Sackett's  Harbour,  with  a  proportion  of  tiokl  ai- 
tillery  and  battering  cannon.  The  general,  in  obedience 
to  these  orders,  after  destroying  his  barracks,  retired  to 
the  place  appointed.  The  British,  apprised  of  his  move- 
ments, detached  a  large  force  under  colonel  8cott,  of  the 
lOod,  who  destroyed  the  publick  stores,  and  pillaged  the 
private  citizens,  but  on  hearing  of  the  approach  of  'an 
American  force,  retreated  in  the  most  precipitate  manner. 
The  vvljole  party  suffered  much  fiom  a  severe  snow  storm, 
besides  losing  upwards  of  two  hundred  deserters.  It  is 
about  this  time,  that  desertions  became  one  of  the  serious 
difficulties  which  the  enemy  had  to  encounter:  their  cus- 
tom of  permitting  their  soldiery  to  plunder  in  almost  every 
instance,  may  perhaps  have  arisen  from  the  necessity  of 
indulging  them  in  this,  as  one  method  of  retaining  them  in 
their  service. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  March,  general  Wilkinson 
determined  to  erect  a  battery  at  a  place  called  Rouse's 
point,  where  his  engineer  had  discovered  a  position  from 


'ungs;  iie 


HISTORY  OV  THE  WAli. 


22; 


k<* 


Lftnhcs  t(^ 
)inia<ul(ue 
V  oi\  Lake 
'— C(.lo;»t!V 
s. — Serious 
es  the  ii>>i'- 
e — ^iillaiit 


,e  British 
■  quarters, 
tlie  latter 
knitted  se- 
osts  in  his 
ication  be- 
er, <lid  ^^^ 
who  gave 
1  raw  11  iiom 
h;  y.nd  that 
er   gen»;ra! 
of  fteUl  ar- 
obeiVu'Mce 

,  retired  to 
'f  his  move- 
,cott,  of  the 
|Villa-ed  the 
,ach  of  'an 
,te  manner, 
now  storw, 
ters.    U  is 
the  seiio^i* 
,  their  cus- 
Imost  every 
[necessity  ot 
^ling  them  m 


.  Wilkinson 

[led  House's 

osition  fioni 


which  the  enemy's  fleet,  tlien  laid  up  at  St.  John's,  mi^ht 
be  kept  in  check.  The  ice  breaking  up  on  lake  Chain- 
plain  sooner  than  usual,  defeated  bis  plan;  a  body  of 
the  enemy,  upwards  of  two  thousand  stnmj:^,  on  discover- 
iiio;  his  design  had  been  collected  at  La  Colle  mill,  tliree 
miles  from  llouse's  point,  for  the  pufpose  of  opposing  him. 
Witli  a  view  of  dislodging  this  party,  and  at  the  same 
time  of  forming  a  diversion  in  favour  of  general  Brown, 
who  had  marclied  against  Niagara,  the  commander-in- 
chief,  at  the  head  of  about  four  thousand  men,  crossed  the 
Canada  lines,  on  the  thirtieth  of  March.  After  dispersing 
several  of  the  enemy's  skirmishing  parties,  he  reached  La 
Colle  mill,  a  large  fortified  stone  house,  at  which  major 
Hancock  commanded.  An  eighteen  pounder  was  order- 
ed up,  but  owing  to  the  nature  of  the  ground  over  wjiich 
it  had  to  pass,  the  transportation  was  found  impractica))le; 
a  twelve  pounder  and  a  five  inch  howitzer,  weie  there- 
fore substituted.  These  pieces,  under  the  direction  of 
captain  M*Piierson,  and  lieutenants  l/.>rabee  and  Sheldon, 
weie  posted  at  the  distance  of  two  hunrJred  paces  from 
ihe  house,  and  covered  by  the  second  brigade,  with  part 
of  colonel  Clark's  command,  under  general  Smith,  on 
the  right;  and  the  third  brigade  under  general  Bissel,  on 
the  left.  Colonel  Miller  was  ordered  to  take  a  position 
with  the  twelfth  and  thirteenth  regiments,  in  order  to  cut 
olf  the  enemy's  retreat;  while  the  reserve,  composed  of 
four  select  corps  of  the  first  brigade,  was  placed  under 
the  command  of  general  M*Comb.  These  arrangements 
being  made,  the  battery  opened  upon  the  house,  and  the 
fire  was  promptly  returned.  The  diiVerent  corps  were 
greatly  exposed  to  the  fire  from  the  house;  it  was  found 
impossible  to  effect  a  breach,  although  tlie  guns  were 
managed  with  great  skill.  Captain  M'Pherson  was  wound- 
ed at  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  but  continued  not- 
withstanding at  his  post,  until  a  second  sh.)t  had  broken 
his  thigh;  his  next  oificer,  Larabee,  was  shot  througl)  the 
lungs;  lieutenant  Sheldon  kept  up  the  fire  until  the  end 
of  the  affair,  and  behaved  in  a  manner  which  drew  forth 
the  praise  of  his  general. 

The  British  commander,  perceiving  that  the  Americans 
persisted  in  bombarding  the  house,  made  a  desperate 


r>\ 


. «'" 


%k^.»«a.^L. 


^28 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


sortie,  and  seveial  times  char»(Ml  upon  the  cannon,  iu 
uliich  he  was  repulsed  by  the  coverinj^  troops,  and  com- 
pelled to  retire  to  his  fortress  with  loss.  It  bein^  now 
lonnd  impracticable  to  make  an  impi-ession  on  this  stron^* 
buiidinj!:,  whose  walls  were  of  unusual  thickness,  the  com- 
nuinder-in-chief,  callinii;  in  ins  dift'erent  parties,  fell  bark 
in  jrood  order.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  aftair, 
was  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  forty  in  killed  and 
wounded,  that  of  the  British  is  not  ascertained.  The 
unfortunate  issue  of  this  atfair,  and  the  failure  in  the 
last  campaio-n,  brou«;ht  general  Wilkinson  into  disrepute 
with  the  pumick.  One  great  fault  inherent  in  the  nature 
of  our  government,  is  the  hasty  and  harsh  decision  re- 
specting the  conduct  and  character  of  men;  it  no  more 
ceases  to  be  injustice  when  committed  by  ten  millions, 
than  if  by  ten  individuals.  Men  are  often  ruined  in  pub- 
lick  estimation,  for  slight  causes,  or  for  uncontrollable  ac- 
cidents; and  they  are  as  often  elevated  to  the  highest  pin- 
nicle  of  celebrity,  f«r  actions  which  may  be  better  cojisi- 
<le»'ed  the  effect  of  chance,  than  the  test  of  merit.  The 
administration,  yielding  to  the  popular  voice,  thought  pro- 
per to  suspend  him  from  the  command,  and  the  army  was 
left  under  j^eneral  Izard.  General  Wilkinson  was  after- 
wards tried  and  honourably  acquitted  of  all  the  charges 
alleged  against  him. 

The  most  discouraging  difficulties  presented  themselves 
in  the  economy,  equipment,  and  government  of  the  Ame- 
rican forces,  to  the  very  last  hour  of  the  war.  The  seve- 
rity of  the  climate  on  the  borders  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and 
the  lakes,  to  which  our  tyros  were  fiequently  exposed, and 
their  want  of  knowledge  and  experience  to  render  (hem- 
selves  comfortable  in  camp,  were  the  causes  of  fatal  dis- 
eases, which  carried  off  a  greater  number  than  fell  in  bat- 
tle. The  proportion  of  sick  and  unlit  for  duty  was  at  all 
times  very  great.  From  the  want  of  that  system,  regu- 
larity and  strictness,  which  belong  to  old  establishments, 
there  existed  at  one  moment  a  supeiabundance  of  all  the 
necessary  munitions,  and  at  another,  as  great  a  scarcity. 
There  was  no  end  to  the  irregular  aiid  unforeseen  expen- 
ses, which  the  government  was  constantly  called  upon  to 
incur.  The  most  vexatious  abuses  were  practised  in  every 


^ubordinati 
reform.     A 
oiir  settled 
which  the 
ever  be  elle 
yet  to  learn 
police  of  till 
circiunstanc 
the  close  ot 
should  be  foi 
ly  men  of  lit 
selves  the  in 
To  these  i 
disgraceful  c 
who  CQntinu 
thing  of  wh; 
evertion  to  j 
up  across  the 
finnished  wit 
which   they  ( 
were  also  reg 
pi'-ed  011  the  . 
Shortly  afl 
of  the  Jii-itis!, 
Aux  Noix,  f( 
tlie  squadron 
of  the  ice. 
before   this, 
commodore  ^ 
river,  so  as  to 
'ay  at  Vergen 
inament.     Th 
COO)  mod  ore  li 
provide  a  na^] 
the  enemy:  th 
and  winter, 
spring.     The 
the  navigation 
^'•e  fleet,  befoi 
*'»  nieet  them. 
the  erection  of 


mselves 
le  Ame- 
he  seve- 
Mice  and 
>sei,and 
er  *hem- 
"atal  (lis- 
l  in  bat- 
as  at  all 
?m,  regu- 
shmeiits, 
of  all  the 
scarcity, 
n  expen- 
1  upon  to 
1  in  every 


IIIS'lORY  OK  THE  WAR. 


^•i9 


-.ubordinate  department,  and  whicli  baflled  every  effort  to 
relorrn.  All  this  must  be  attributed  to  tlie  true  cause;  to 
our  seftled  habits  of  peace,  and  to  the  slowness  with 
M'liich  the  orp;anization  of  military  establishments,  must 
ever  be  eilected  under  a  constitution  like  ours.  We  hud 
yet  to  learn  and  put  in  practice,  the  endless  minutiae  of  the 
police  of  the  camp,  which  varies  according  to  a  thousand 
circumstances.  We  had  no  regular  soldiers  until  almost 
the  close  of  the  war.  How  could  we  expect  that  they 
should  be  formed?  Our  subalterns  were  at  first,  oeneral- 
ly  men  of  little  education  of  any  kind,  and  required  them- 
selves the  instruction  which  they  undertook  to  give. 

To  these  unavoidable  misfortunes,  we  have  to  add  the 
disgraceful  conduct  of  many  of  the  frontier  inhabitants, 
who  continued  regularly  to  supply  the  enemy  with  every 
thing  of  which  they  stood  in  want.  In  spite  of  eviwy 
evertion  to  prevent  it,  a  constant  intercourse  was  kept 
up  across  the  Canada  line,  and  the  British  v/ere  not  only 
furnished  with  immense  quantities  of  provisions,  without 
which  they  could  not  have  subsisted  their  armies,  but 
were  also  regularly  informed  of  every  thing  which  trans- 
pired »n  the  Ameiican  side. 

Shortly  after  the  atiair  of  LaColle,  the  greater  part 
of  the  British  force  was  collected  at  St.  John's,  and  Isle 
Aux  Noix,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  entrance  of 
the  squadron  into  lake  Chamnlain,  on  tiie  breaking  up 
of  the  ice.  This  was  eilected  early  in  Ma}%  Sometime 
before  this,  on  the  suggestion  of  general  Wilkinson, 
commodore  M'Donough  had  fortified  the  mouth  of  Otter 
river,  so  as  to  secure  a  passage  for  his  flotilla,  v\  hich  then 
lay  at  Vergennes,  higher  up  the  river,  waiting  for  its  ar- 
mament. This  precaution  proved  of  great  service.  The 
commodore  had  laboured,  with  indefatigable  industry,  to 
provide  a  naval  force  on  this  lake,  to  cope  with  that  of 
the  enemy:  the  vessels  had  been  built  during  the  autumn 
and  vvinter,  but  their  armament  did  not  arrive  before 
spring.  The  first  object  of  the  enemy,  when  they  found 
the  navigation  open,  was  to  attempt  the  destruction  of 
the  fleet,  before  it  could  move  upon  its  element  prepared 
t(»  meet  them.  On  the  twelfth  of  May,  not  long  after 
the  erection  of  the  battery  on  the  cape,  at  the  cntt  anct^of 

20 


1 

r  ■■  ■ ' 

1 

^1^ 

lit-'         H(  il 

i||        || 

1  ^i 

B     r'' 

m     '^ 

11     ^,i 

P|     i'. 

ffflf      ' 

ikS^I            '^  ^ 

wW               '! 

i              \, 

^  VIMlLw  iMM>«r  ^ ., 


£30 


HlSTOllV  OF  THE  WAU, 


the  river,  a  bomb  vessel  and  eight  large  gal  lies  weiQ 
stalioned  by  the  enemy  across  the  creek,  for  the  purpose 
of  blockading'the  squadron,  and  at  the  same  time  to  in- 
<er(e|)t  naval  supplies,  which  it  was  supposed  would  be 
sent  by  water,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  its  arma- 
ment. Captain  Thornton  of  the  lijiht  artillery,  and  lieu» 
tenant  Cassin,  with  a  number  of  sailors,  were  ordered  to 
the  defence  of  the  battery.  Indications  beinj;  at  the 
same  time  discovered  of  an  attempt  by  the  enemy  to  as- 
sail the  battery  in  the  rear,  general  Davis,  of  the  Vermont 
militia,  called  out  part  of  his  bri<*;ade,  in  order  to  oj)po,se 
the  landing.  At  day-break  on  the  fourteenth,  the  enemy 
commenced  an  attack  upon  the  works,  but  were  so  effec- 
tually resisted,  that  they  were  compelled  to  withdraw 
from  their  position  with  the  loss  of  two  gallies,, which 
they  were  oblijred  to  abandon.  Soon  after,  the  whole 
scjuadron  moved  down  the  lake,  but  not  without  some 
skirmislnng  with  general  Wright  of  the  militia,  as  they 
passed  Hurlington.  Commodore  M'Donough  had  attempt- 
ed to  bring  sotne  of  the  American  vessels  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  but  the  British  squadron  had  disappeared  be- 
fore he  could  attain  his  object. 

While  the  naval  preparations  were  making  on  lake 
Champlain,  the  winter  and  ypring  were  taken  up  with  the 
preparations  for  a  contest  for  superiority  on  lake  (Intario. 
The  British  converted  it,  however,  into  a  contest  in 
building  the  ereatest  number  and  the  largest  ships.  At 
Kingston,  a  ship  of  extraordinary  size  was  building;  for 
the  enemy  no  longer  trusted,  as  they  had  done  with  other 
nations,  to  superior  seamanship  and  valour.  Commodore 
Chauncey  was  under  the  necessity  of  building  additional 
vessels,  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  as  nearly  as  pos- 
sible an  equality  of  force.  The  enemy  was,  however, 
not  satisfied  with  endeavouring  to  conquer  us  in  ship 
building,  they  made  numerous  attempts  to  destroy  by  in- 
siduous  means,  those  already  built  by  the  Americans. 
On  the  twenty-fifth  of  April,  three  of  the  enemy's  bouts, 
provided  with  tlie  means  of  blowing  up  the  vessels,  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  close  into  Sackett's  Ilaibour  lunlisco- 
vcred;  but  iNefore  they  could  execute  th.eir  purpos.-,  lliey 
were  detected  and  fired  upon  by  lieutenant  Dudley,  the 


officer 
info    t\ 
tenif)fs 
Atruied 
their  w 
Hither 
lia\iiig 
Bnjinin 
tennina 
p(juipm( 
co;ii!neri 
for  seve 
of  the  0 
lieutena 
peri  or  f« 
creek  to 
from  beij 
were  pit< 
of  a  larg 
under  Iji 
the  shore 
conded   [ 
barges  til 
ceded  by 
>^'as  com 
warmly 
boats  We  I 
the  hand 
The  sf 
for  the  ] 
iier  as  to 
<he  sixth, 
^^ips;  the 
hours,   wh 
under  ge 
shore,  a'ft 
and  his  s( 
^'•^•rt,  and 
engaged   t 
^'Hiding  fu 
his  troops. 


les  wevQ 
}  purpose 
mu  to  in- 
would  he 
its  arma- 
aiul  lieu- 
>nlere(l  to 


^K 


at  tl\e 
^my  to  as- 
»  Vermont 
to  o])pose 
the  enemy 
•e  so  etTec- 

withdraw 
iies, .  which 
the  whole 
Lhout  some 
;ia,  as  they 
id  attempt- 

the  mouth 
3peared  be- 

ng  on  lake 

up  with  the 

ike  Ontario. 

contest  in 

ships.    At 

ilding;  for    | 

with  other 

oinmodoie 
^  additional 
"arly  as  pos- 
,8,  however, 

us  in  ship 
strov  by  in- 

Americans. 
emy's  boats, 

essels,  suc- 

lour  >ui<'ii^('t>- 

u-pos-.',  tl'ey 

Dudley,  the 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAU. 


231 


olficor  of  the  guard,  on  which  they  threw  their  powder 
into  the  lake,  and  pulled  ott*.  Failing  in  all  these  at- 
tem{)ts,  from  the  vigilance  of  the  Americans,  they  next 
forn»ed  the  determination  to  intercept  the  naval  stores  on 
their  way  from  Oswego,  where  they  had  been  deposited. 
Hither  sir  Junes  proceeded  with  his  whole  fleet,  and 
haNJng  on  board  a  large  body  of  troops  under  general 
Dnimmond,  |»roceeded  on  the  filth  of  May,  with  the  de- 
termination of  storming  the  town  and  capturing  tlie 
e([uipments  destined  for  the  new  vessels.  The  liritish 
commenced  i  heavy  bombardment,  which  was  kept  up 
for  several  days;  tlie  unexpected  and  gallant  resistance 
of  the  garrison,  consisting  of  three  hundred  men  under 
lieutenant  colonel  Mitchell,  was  in  vain  against  such  su- 
perior force.  The  schooner  Growler,  then  in  Oswego 
creek  to  receive  the  cannon,  was  sunk  to  prevent  her 
from  being  taken,  and  all  the  tents  that  could  be  procured 
were  pitched  on  the  village  side,  to  give  the  appearance 
of  a  laro;c  force  of  militia.  The  sailors  of  the  Growler, 
under  lieutenant  Pearce,  were  added  to  the  garrison; 
the  shore  battery  was  commanded  by  captain  Boyle,  se- 
conded by  lieutenant  Legate.  At  one  o'clock,  fifteen 
barges  ftlled  with  ^.roops,  moved  towards  the  shore,  pre- 
ceded by  several  gunboats,  while  a  heavy  cannonade 
was  commenced  by  tlie  larger  vessels.  They  were  so 
warmly  received  by  the  battery  on  the  shore,  that  the 
boats  were  twice  repulsed,  and  one  of  the  largest  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Americans. 

The  squadron  now  stood  oft*,  but  this  was  evidently 
for  the  purpose  of  renewing  the  attack,  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  render  it  effectual.  They  again  approached  on 
the  sixth,  having  resolved  to  land  under  cover  of  thfiir 
ships;  they  accordingly  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  for  three 
hours,  while  their  land  forces,  two  thousand  in  number, 
under  general  De  VVatteville,  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
shore,  after  being  gallantly  opposed  by  lieutenant  Pearce 
and  his  seamen.  Colonel  Mitchell  now  abando'iea  the 
lort,  and  joining  his  corps  to  the  niariiies  and  seamen, 
engaged  the  enemy's  flank,  and  did  gicat  execution. 
Finding  further  resistance  useless,  he  fell  back,  fi)rme<l 
his  troops,  and  took  up  his  march  to  the  falls  of  Oswego, 


s. 


I    ,1 


,«'*. 


ii3i2 


HISTORY  Oi^'  TIIH  WAR. 


•It'sfioviri};  tlic  briilurs  in  his  iciir.  lUitluMfo,  iu  (he  '\\\o\. 
jirrssibli'  iliMippoinhunil  of  (he  Ill•i^i^ll,  the  naval  hIoit^ 
dad  already  Ix-cn  rcniovrd,  and  all  lluMr  (roublo,  and  tlu' 
loss  wliiili  tlu'y  suslaincd,  j)nKinTd  them  Fiotiiin;;;  inoio 
flian  a  low  bairrlsof  provisions  and  sonic  Nvliisk(»v.  'ihis 
>\as  |)ur(hasrd  with  a  loss  of  two  luindrcd  ami  tliiitv-live 
men,  in  killetl  and  wounded;  ihcy  wcvv.  certairdv  on* 
titled  to  tlu*  victory,  but  they  never  tlion;;lit  proner  to 
(-.lain)  if.  The  loss  of  the  Anu'ricans  was  sixty-nnie  in 
killed,  wounded  and  nussin;;;  anion^  the  first,  a  promis- 
ing oliicer,  lieutenant  Ulanoy. 

On  the  evening;  of  the  same  day,  a  part  of  this  forcp 
proceeded  to  Pultneyville,  and  demanded  the  publick 
stores.  The  inhabitants  were  unable  to  repel  the  inva- 
ders, who  indulu;ed  tluMuselves  in  their  usual  depreda- 
tions; when  j^encral  Swift,  of  the  New-York  militia,  op- 
portunely arrivinir,  with  a  part  of  his  brijjadc,  nut  tliein 
to  flight.  The  British  soon  after,  hearinu;  that  the  Snjo- 
riour,  which  had  lately  been  launched,  had  received  hor 
equipments  from  the  interiour,  broke  up  the  blockade,  and 
returned  to  Kingston.  Another  new  ship,  the  Mohawk, 
was  at  this  time  on  the  stocks,  and  as  she  would  have  to 
be  supplied  with  her  ecjuipments  from  the  same  place,  it 
was  iletermined,  since  the  British  had  disappeared,  to 
transport  them  by  water,  and  avoid  the  expense  and  de- 
lay 01  land  transportation.  To  deceive  the  enemy,  who 
had  numerous  gunboats  hovering  about  the  different 
creeks,  a  report  was  circulated  that  it  was  intended  to 
forward  the  stores  to  the  Oneida  lake.  Nineteen  bar- 
iies  were  loaded  at  Oswego,  and  major  Appling  was  des- 
patched by  general  Gaines,  with  a  detachment  to  aid 
captain  Woolsey,  in  their  defence.  On  the  twenty-eighth 
of  May,  captain  Woolsey,  finding  the  coast  clear,  reach- 
ed the  village  of  Oswego  by  sunset,  and  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  put  into  the  lake. 
The  next  day  they  reached  Sandy  creek,  and  ascend- 
ing it  a  few  miles,  despached  a  boat  to  look  out  for  the 
I^ritish  on  the  lake;  this  boat  was  discovered  by  some 
gun  vessels,  and  immediately  chased.  Major  Appling 
and  captain  Woolsey  determined  to  draw  them  into  an 
ambuscade.     As  had  been  anticipated,  the  enemy  push- 


ed the 
landed 

JIOW   SL 

after  o 
and  w 
consist 
ants  of 
gethec 
for  thif! 
.Sniilh, 
<ind  en; 
duct  oj 
ap))Iaud 
Americi 
Hritish, 
nience  i 
dians,  ai 
Were  coi 
'i'he  bar 
safety. 

'I 'he  c 
the  «riti 
ollic  ers, 
ter  of  tl 
times  pr 
did  not 
of  one 
sliould  b 
ceedingl 
America! 
than  twi 
conseque 
tion. 

No  ev( 
unlii  late 
dered  im 

*  TI.c  0 
"Wlu-n  U, 
tliiiy  kill  \v( 
no  let  ludiai 


)< 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  \N  AU. 


i2;10 


0(1  tlu'ir  8;inil)o,its  and  cuftcrs  U|»  flu*  crook,  nhiU'  a  party 
liindiMl  and  ascjMnlcd  aloni!;  tin*  bank.  'JIk*  Aiiu'iiiaiis 
iu)\v  hUildcnly  nislu'd  u|)()ii  iIumh,  and  in  a  few  irnniiciit-., 
altiM-  (nio  fnr,  Uy  which  a  number  of  (hem  uere  killed 
and  wounded,  the  whole  party  was  taken  prisoners, 
consisting  of  four  lieutenants  of  the  navv,  (wo  lien  (en- 
ants  of  marines,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty  men,  to 
^•(her  wi(h  all  their  l)oa(s  and  cu(ters.  Major  Applin;;j!;, 
for  this  atVair,  was  bn!ve(e<l,  and  his  ollicers,  li'u tenants 
.Smilh,  M'lntosh,  Calhoun,  M'Kailand,  and  ArmstroMLr, 
and  ensii^n  Aus(in,  were  jiublickly  (hanked.  'I'he  con- 
(luc(  of  captain  Woolsey  and  his  olliceis  was  n(>(  less 
applauded.  A  party  of  Oneida  Indians  had  joined  (!ie 
Americans  in  this  atVair,  and  were  the  fust  (o  reach  (Ik* 
IJritish,  after  their  surrender;  these  were  about  to  com- 
mence the  nnxle  of  warfare  practised  by  the  Ani;lo  In- 
diarjs,  at  tlie  river  Raisin,  Lew istown,  and  Tuscaiora,  bu( 
were  compidled,  ijreatly  U)  their  displeasure,  to  desist.^ 
The  bar«j;es  soon  after  arrived  at  J^ackett's  Harbour  in 
safety.  > 

The  conscnuences  of  tliis  alVair,  were  severely  felt  by 
the  Rritish;  they  lost  a  number  of  tiicir  best  seamen  and 
ollicers,  and  commodoie  Chauncey  was  once  more  mas- 
ter  of  the  lake.  He  accordingly  sailed  out,  and  several 
times  presented  himself  before  Kinj^ston,  but  sir  James 
did  not  think  it  prudent  to  s(ir  out,  until  his  lar^e  ship 
of  one  hundred  and  twelve  guns,  then  on  tlie  stocks, 
should  be  Completed.  This  mode  of  w  «rfare  was  ex- 
ceedingly expensive,  but  more  to  the  British  than  to  (he 
Americans;  it  is  ascertained  that  it  cost  the  former  more 
than  twice  what  was  expended  by  the  Americans;  in 
consequence  of  their  greater  dilFiculties  of  transporta- 
tion. 

No  event  of  any  consequence  transpired  in  tliiscpiarfer 
unlli  late  in  the  summer,  save  a  skirmish,  which  was  ren- 
dered important  by  the  death  of  that  active  thou-h  ec- 

*  The  cfiief,  on  this  occasion,  ex])reKS('cl  himself  in  this  iiinnnf';'. 
"When  Mi'itisli  come  Buffrtloe,  they  kiH  uhito  mati,  they  lvi!l  lii«li:i;i, 
they  kill  woman,  they  hum  all  lumse.'— W1k!»  Hi-itish  come  hero,  ywi 
no  let  Indian  kill  him — von  j^ive  eat — iVu  no  good.-' 

20* 


-H   i  ■ 

; } 

I 

I' 


It' 


.fl 


234 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


centrick  jiarti/an  officer,  colonel  Forsythe,  who  had  boon 
H  terrour  to  the  15ri(ish.  Having  made  an  incursion  as 
far  at  Otielltown,  he  attacked  a  party  of  the  enemy,  and 
retreated  witli  a  view  of  drawing  tlieni  into  an  ainbuscade; 
but  not  completely  succeeding,  a  severe  skirmish  ensued, 
in  which  seventeen  of  <he  enemy  were  killed, among  their 
number  the  celebra^'d  partizan  oflicer  captain  Malloux,  a 
Canadian,  who  was  shot  by  lieutenant  Riley.  After  tlie 
death  of  Forsytlie,  the  command  devolved  on  major  Ap>- 
pling. 

General  Brown  had,  in  t!ie  meantime,  reached  the  Nir 
;igara  frontier,  and  it  was  expected  that  the  enemy  would 
be  immediately  expelle'l  from  the  American  territory; 
but  his  situation  oid  not  permit  the  attempt, and  with  the 
excej)tion  of  a  i\w  partuil  encounters,  trannuillity  pre- 
vailed along  ti  e  Niagara  frontier  during  the  summer, 
?<.t  would  be  inj proper  to  pass  over  in  silence,  however,  an 
aHair  wliicli  took  place  in  this  quarter.  Colonel  Camp- 
bell crossed  the  lake  from  Kiie,  with  about  five  hundred 
men,  and  landing  at  Dover,  a  small  village  on  the  ('ana- 
da  side,  proceeded  to  destroy  the  mills,  together  with  the 
greater  part  of  the  ^/livate  dwellings.  The  expedition 
was  undertaken  without  orders,  and  as  his  conduct  in  thi^s 
aftair,  though  otherwise  t  meritorious  officer,  was  gieatlj 
reprobated,  a  cour  of  inquiry,  at  which  general  Scott 
presided,  was  instituted,  Tlie  court  decided,  that  the 
destruction  of  the  distilleries  and  mills  might  be  justi- 
fied by  the  usages  of  war,  as  they  furnished  the  Biitish 
troops  with  their  necessary  supplies;  but  with  respect  to 
the  other  part  of  his  comfuct,  although  excused  in  some 
measure  by  the  example  of  the  enemy,  in  the  destruction 
of  the  villages  on  the  Niagara,  it  was  nevertheless  con- 
(lemned.  In  the  ojdnion  of  the  court,  "acts  of  retaliatioa 
on  the  part  of  a  nation,  proud  of  its  rights,  and  co»sciou& 
of  their  power  of  maintaining  them,  should  reluctantly 
be  resorted  to,  and  only  by  instructions  from  the  highest, 
authority."  The  improper  conduct  of  colonel  Camp- 
bell was  mitigated  by  his  humane  treatment  to  the  de- 
fenceless part  of  tjie  inhabitants,  to  the  women  and  chil- 
(fren,  in  wliich  he  did  not  follow  the  example  of  the 
-Hritisli. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


52  s^ 


iJ  been 
sion  as 
iiy,  luul 
uscade; 
ensued, 
nj;^  their 
i\loux,a 
J'ter  tlie 
ijor  Ap- 

the  Nir 
ly  Nvould 
erritory; 
with  the 
lity  pre- 
summev, 

.vever,  an 
el  Caiup- 
i  hundred 
he  Cana- 
•  witli  the 
ixpeditiuii 
act  in  thl;? 
liis  greatlj 
ral  Scott 
til  at  the 
t  be  justi- 
e  Bntisti 
irespect  to 
,d  in  some' 
lestriictioii 
eless  coii- 
etaliatioa 
coiiscious 
jluctantly 
Ihe  highest. 
el    Cauip- 
|to  the  de- 
.  and  chil- 
ple  of  the 


To  the  westward,  but  little  of  moment  transpired 
(hning  tlie  remainder  of  the  war,  being  once  more  in 
(jui(it  possession  of  all  our  territory  except  Michilimack- 
inac.  Early  in  the  spring,  however,  intelligence  was 
received  by  colonel  Butler,  who  commanded  at  Detroit, 
that  a  considerable  body  of  regulars,  Indians,  and  mili- 
tia, was  collected  at  the  river  Thames.  Captain  Lee, 
vi\i\\  a  party  of  mounted  men,  was  sent  to  reconnoitre, 
and  succeetfed  in  gaining  the  rear  of  the  British  forces 
unobserved,  and  making  prisoners  of  several  ofiicers; 
among  the  rest,  of  colonel  Baubee,  who  had  commanded 
a  party  of  Indians  in  their  depredations  on  the  New- York 
frontier. 

A  gallant  affair   was  soon  after  achieved  by  captain 
Holmes,   a  youth   of  the  most   promising   talents,  and 
brother  to  the  governour   of  the   Mississippi  territory. 
With  a  party  of  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  rangers  and 
mounted  men,  he  proceeded  on  the  twenty-first  of  Feb- 
wwvy  against  some  of  the  enemy's  posts.     About  the  be- 
ginning of  March,  he  received  intelligence,  that  a  Bri- 
tish force,  which  afterwards  ])roved  to  be  double  his  own, 
was  descending  the    river   Thames.     Captain    Holmes, 
finding  himself  not  in  a  situation  to  give  battle,  from  the 
(iitigue  which  his  men  had  alreadv  encountered,  and  his 
ignorance  of  the   strength    of    tlie  enemy's   party,  fell 
back  a  few  miles,  and  clujse  a  strong  position,  where  he 
uas  confident  of  being  able  to  defend   himself,  until  he 
could   obtain  the  necessary  information  of  the  British. 
He  despatched  a  small  body  of  rangers  for  this  purpose, 
but  which  soon  returned,  pursued  by  the  enemy,  but  with- 
out being  able  to   learn  his  strength.     Tlie  British  per- 
ceiving the  strength  of  c^^.tain  Holmes'  position,  resorted 
to  stratagem  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  him  from  it. 
They    feigned    an    attack,  and  then    retreated,   taking 
care  not  to  show  more  than  sixty  or  seventy  men:  cap- 
|tain  Holmes  now  pursued,  but  witli  caution;  and  after 
j proceeding  about  five  miles,  discovered  their  main  body 
drawn  up  to  receive  him,  on  which   he  immediately  re- 
turned  to  his   former   position.      Having   disposed   his 

troops  in  the  most  judicious  manner,  he  firmly  waited 
Ajr  them;  being  protected  in  front  by  a  deep  ravine,  aQd> 


i 


['■|!| 


2S» 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ihe  approaches  on  the  other  sides   somevviiat  difficult. 
The  attack  was  commenced  at  the  same  moment  on  every 
point,  with  savage  yells,  and  the  sound  of  bugles,  the  re- 
gulars charging  up  the  heights  from  the  ravine;  the  other 
sides  were  rapidly  assailed  by  militia  and  Indians.    The 
first  approached  within  twenty  paces  of  the  American 
line,  against  a  very  destructive  fire;  but  the  front  sec- 
tion being  cut  to  pieces,  those  who  followed   severely 
wounded,  and  many  of  their  officers  cut  down,  thev  re- 
tired to  the  woods,  within  thirty  or  forty  paces,  and  ihe 
firing  continued  with  great  spirit  on  both  sides.     The 
American    regulars   being  uncovered,  were  ordered  to 
kneel,  that  the  brow  of  the  heights  might  assist  in  screen- 
ing them  from  the  enemy;  but  the  enemy's  covering  was 
insufficient,  a  sinij;le  tree  aftbrding  no  shelter  even  to  one, 
from  the  extended  line  of  the  Americans,  much  less  to 
ihe  squads  that  stood  together.     On  the  other  sides,  the 
attack  was  sustained  with  equal  coolness,  and  with  consi- 
derable loss  to  the  foe;  the  Americans  had,  on  three  sides, 
thrown  together  some  logs  hastily,  and  no  charge  being 
made,  they  could  aim   their  pieces  at  leisure,  with  that 
deadly  certainty,  which  belongs  to  the  backwoodsman. 
The  British,  after  an  hour  of  hard  fighting,  ordered  a  re- 
treat, and   as  the  ni^ht   appproached,  captain    Holmes 
thought  it  not  advisable  to  pursue:  besides,  his  men  were 
much  fatigued,  and  many  of  them  had  nearly  worn  out 
their  shoes  on  the  hard  frozen  ground.     The  American 
loss  on  this  occasion  did  not  amount  to  more  than  six  kill- 
ed and  wounded.     According  to  the  statement  of  the  Bri- 
tish, their  loss  was  sixty-five  killed  and  wounded,  besides 
Indians.     In  consequence  of  his  good  conduct,  on  this  af- 
fair, captain  Holmes  was  promc4ed  to  the  rank  of  major. 
Hitherto  nothing  of  moment  had  occurred,  which  could 
have  much  influence  on  the  final  result  of  the  war.    On 
the  ocean,  it  had  been  glorious  for  us;  on  the  lakes  and 
on  the  frontier,  our  arms  during  the  last  year,  had  re- 
trieved our  former  disgraces;  and  on  the  sea-coast,  the 
enemy  had  discovered  that  it  was  not  an  easy  matter  to 
make  an  impression.     It  is  true,  the  disastrous  issue  of| 
the  campaign  against  Canada,  took  away  all  hope  of  be- 
ing able  to  make  an  impression  on  that  province,  under  I 


ii 


-T^, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


237 


present  circumstances;  but  the  happy  termination  of  the 
Indian  war  to  the  westward,  and  its  success  to  the  south, 
in  some  decree  afforded  a  consolation.  An  important 
crisis,  however,  had  arrived  in  the  g;encral  state  of  our  af- 
fairs. The  third  year  of  the  war  found  the  situation  of 
this  country  materially  changed.  The  most  dishearten- 
inir  periods  of  the  revolution  scarcely'  presented  a  state  of 
Ihinf^s  more  painfully  embanassin^.  The  distress  of  the 
northern  states,  whose  subsistence,  in  a  great  measure, 
depended  upon  their  shipping,  and  those  of  the  people  of 
the  south,  whose  staples  had  almost  ceased  to  be  of  any 
value,  together  with  embarrassments  of  the  banks  in  the 
middle  states,  had  begun,  at  last,  to  make  us  feel  that  we 
were  at  war.  To  a  people  who  had  been  for  years  in  the 
most  flourishing  state,  a  check  to  their  prosperity,  how- 
ever it  might  result  to  their  ultimate  good,  was  felt  as  a 
positive  affliction.  To  the  great  body  of  the  farmers,  in 
the  interiour  of  the  country,  the  effects  of  hostilities  were 
rather  beneficial;  their  produce  was  raised  in  price,  and 
their  lands  in  value;  the  wealth  of  the  cities,  no  longer 
applied  to  commerce,  was  diverted  to  the  interiour,  and 
was  soon  discovered  in  the  improvement  of  the  lands,  the 
increase  of  the  inland  towns,  and  the  establishment  of 
manufactures.  But  the  number  of  those,  whom  the  war 
distressed  or  ruined,  was  proportionally  great;  and  as  men 
are  more  loud  in  crying  out  against  calamities,  than  for- 
ward in  displaying  'heir  good  fortune,  the  unfavourable  side 
of  the  picture  only  was  exhibited.  The  philosopher  might 
say,  that  what  was  lost  to  the  nation,  on  the  one  side,  n  as 
gained  in  the  other;  but  this  reasoning  could  have  little 
weight  with  the  individual  sufferers.  In  several  of  the  New 
England  states,  complaints  assumed  a  more  serious  cast;  a 
convention  was  talked  of,  and  it  was  even  insinuated, 
that  tiiey  meant  to  secede  from  the  union.  This,  indeed, 
would  have  been  an  event,  which  would  have  filled  every 
American  bosom  with  grief;  a  gi eater  injury  to  our  coin- 
mon  country  than  a  thousand  wars.  "Ihe  collisions  be- 
tween the  state  authorities  and  that  of  the  union,  were 
beginning  to  produce  all  the  embarrassments,  which  had 
been  predicted  by  Patrick  Henry  at  the  fornuition  of  the 
constitution.    The  supposed  existence  of  such  a  temper, 


^«8^**1*&M&*  ,:*/,Jiaii^         ■  .^ 


^'38 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


at  the  perloi]  of  our  utmost  need,  could  not  fail  to  weakea 
the  hands  of  the  administration,  and  ihcrease  the  disposi- 
tion of  Enjtland  to  prosecute  the  war.  The  embarrass- 
Tnents  in  our  fi.iancial  system  were  alarminjr,  and  it  was 
confidently  predicted,  that  from  a  want  of  funds,  the  ad- 
ministration would  be  compelled  to  yield  up  the  reins  of 
government,  or  throw  the  nation  upon  the  mercy  of  the 
enemv. 

A  new  event  had  occurred  in  Europe,  wh'  h  could  not 
be  viewed  with  indifference,  even  on  these  (ii.  tant  shores; 
and  its  consequence  threatened  us  with  a  serious  dafiuer. 
The  ambitious  monarch  of  France  had  been  hurled  from  his 
throne,  by  the  combined  powers  of  Europe,  and  the  house 
of  Bourbon  restored.  This  event  was  received  by  some 
of  our  fellow  citizens  with  open  rejoiciii<]5,  as  thoutiji  it 
brought  sorae  signal  j^ood  fortune  to  this  country,  or  to  the 
humm  racev  To  this  country  it  could  bring  no  beiiel'if, 
for  it  wus  not  likely  tliat  the  kiny;  of  France  could,  any 
more  than  Napoleon,  feel  a  friendship  for  us,  dlt!iou;;h  he 
might  not  so  cordially  hate  or  despise  us.  Louis  the 
eighteenth  could  not  be  expected  to  entertain  much  love 
lor  republicks,  and  certainly  not  for  oucs,  the  coutaj^ion 
of  whose  example  is  said  to  have  contributed  much  to  that 
dreadful  revolution,  in  which  his  family  had  so  severely 
suffered;  indeed  it  is  natural  tiiat  a  rejniblick,  like  ours, 
should  not  be  regarded  with  much  complacency  by  ai  y 
monarch;  for,  to  use  the  expression  of  Demosthenes,  *'v.e 
are  considered  as  a  spy  upon  their  actions."  Napoleon, 
having  been  already  reduced  within  a  reasonable  con^pass, 
there  was  no  longer  any  danger  of  his  seizing  the  ships 
of  England,  and  transporting  several  hundred  thousand 
men  to  make  a  barren  conquest  of  America:  it  is  more 
probable  that  he  would  have  paid  a  visit  to  the  emperour 
of  China.  I  am  not  the  advocate  of  a  cold  and  unfeeling 
policy.  The  unfortunate  fan»;ly  of  the  French  Bourbons, 
have  suffered  enough  to  atone  for  many  errours  and  faults; 
and  as  men,  we  might  be  permitted  to  express  our  satis- 
faction that  providence  had  deigned  to  put  a  term  to  their 
miseries.  It  had,  however,  become  a  nmtter  of  indiffer- 
ence to  us,  whether  the  throne  of  France  was  occupied 
by  an  emperour  or  a  king.    But,  as  Great  Britain  had 


claimed 

iick  rejoi( 

of  a  rejoii 

abstract  s 

ancient  u 

publican. 

national  i 

the  contin 

ed  power 

her  Vetera 

Aniciica; 

main  for  n 

ed  republic 

yhile  Brita 

I'his  tuin  « 

rather  to  ha 

ica.     Grea 

waited,  hov 

under  the 

years,  until 

would  have 

daring  to  as 

no  more  of 

to  be  laid  wj 

to  be  expec 

plentitude  o; 

tion,  and  of 

was  the  situj 

time  was  ap 

strength  of  oi 

.and  wjmt  wa 

which  would 

tions,  which,  j 

eti  the  highes 

I'he  people  oi 

ence,  the  fate 

fdand  unfort 

The  northe 

httJe  molestat 

attack  earlvir 

of  sailors  and 


ttlSTORV  OF  THE  AVAR. 


i2S9 


\i  was 
the  ad- 
reins  of 

of  the 

mUl  not 
t  shores; 
dan.^er. 
tVom  Ills 
le  house 
by  some 
thou2;i«  it 
or  to  ihe 
0  benefit, 
DuUl,  any 
liou^h  he 
^ouid  the 
luch  h)\e 
:.<.)iita«;ion 
cU  to  tliat 
severely 
,ikp,  ours, 
|y  Uy  ary 
?nes,  "v.e 
apoleon, 
con^pass, 
[the  ships 
thousand 
It  is  wore 
mperour 
lunfeeling 
_iOurbons, 
[ul  faults; 
(ur  satis- 
to  their 
indift'er- 
occupied 
Ltain  had 


claimed  the  chief  merit  of  this  wonderful  operation,  pub- 
lick  rejoicin«j;s  for  the  event  had  too  much  liie  appearance 
of  a  rejoicing  for  the  success  of  our  enemies,  and  for  the 
abstract  success  of  royalty,  \vhich    whether  of  recent  or 
ancient  usuipation,  ought  to  be  equally  nauseous  to  a  re- 
publican. The  event  was,  in  reality,  «>;reatly  adverse  to  our 
national  interests.     Fired  by  the  success  of  the  wars  of 
the  continent,  and  extrava«rantly  elated  with  her  suppos- 
ed power  and  greatness,  the  enemy  was  at  liberty  to  send 
her  veteran  troops,  and  her  numerous  .leets,  to  chastise 
America;  while  our  commissioners  were  suffered  to  re- 
main for  months  in  neglect,  under  a  pretence,  that  despis- 
ed republicans  might  wait  patiently  in  the  anti-chamber, 
v'hile  Britain  was  engaged  with  personages  of  im]>ortance. 
This  turn  of  affairs,  iiir  from  ])roducing  exultation,  ought 
rather  to  have  depressed  the  friends  of  liberty  and  Amer- 
ica.    Great  Britain  was  highly  incensed  that  we  had  not 
waited,  how  long  no  one  could  tell,  with  all  due  patience, 
under  the  numerous  outrages  she  had  perpetrated  for 
years,  until,  disengaged  from  all  her  European  wars,  she 
would  have  leisure  to  give  us  a  severe  chiistisemcnt  for 
daring  to  assert  our  riglits.     It  now  behoved  us  to   liink 
no  more  of  invading  Canada;  our  northern  frontier  was 
to  be  laid  waste,  our  sea-coast  devastateil,  and  the  utmo-t 
to  be  expected,  was  a  successful  self-defence.    In  the 
plentitude  of  her  arrogance,  Britain  talked  of  lecoloniza- 
tion,  and  of  crippling  us  for  iifty  years  to  come.     Such 
was  the  situation  of  America  at  this  eventful  period;  the 
time  was  approaching,  which  would  put  to  the  test  the 
strength  of  our  confederation,  and  our  ability  for  defence; 
,and  wliat  was  still   more  interesting,  the  time  had  come, 
which  would  try  our  attachments  to  our  political  institu- 
tions, which,  although  not  yet  veneiable  from  time  deserv- 
ed the  highest  admiration   for  their  justice  and  wisdom. 
The  people  of  other  nations  coul  1  not  view,  with  indiil'er- 
ence,  the  fate  of  this  asylum  and  sanctuary  of  the  oppress- 
ed and  unfortunate  throughout  the  world. 

The  northern  sea-coast,  which  had  thus  far  exp^riencef! 
little  molestation  from  tl.e  enemy,  became  the  object  of 
attack  early  in  tlie  spring.  On  the  seventh  ui'  April,  a  body 
of  sailors  and  marines,  to  the  number  of  two  hundred. 


VV 


m 


k 


^^■^^^^IBW^K 


'^^^*^.*^^i5fe^.*«.^w^,..«..  ..„. 


240 


HISTORY  OK  THE  WAR. 


ascended  the  Connecticut  river,  as  far  as  Saybrook,  where, 
they  spiked  the  cannon  and  destroyed  the  shipping;  they 
proceeded  thence  to  Brockway's  ferry,  where  they  did  the 
same;  an<l  afterwards,  unapprehensive  of  attack,  careless- 
ly remained  twenty -four  hours.  In  the  meantime  a  body 
of  militia,  together  with  a  number  of  marines  and  sailors, 
under  captain  Jones  and  lieutenant  Biddle,  had  collected 
for  the  purpose  of  cutting  off  their  retreat;  but  the  Bri- 
tish, taking  adv^tntage  of  a  very  dark  night,  and  usinj; 
muffled  oars,  esctiped  to  their  fleet,  after  having  destroyed 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars  worth  of  shipping. 

About  this  time  the  coasting  trade  was  almr.st  destroy- 
ed by  a  British  privateer,  the  Liverpool  packet,  which 
cruised  in  the  sound.  Commodore  Lewis  sailed  with  a 
detachment  of  thirteen  gunboats,  and  succeeded  in  chas- 
ing her  oft*.  On  his  arrival  at  Saybrook,  he  found  upwards 
of  fifty  vessels  bound  to  the  eastward,  but  afraid  to  ven- 
ture out.  The  commodore  consented  to  take  them  under 
convoy,  but  was  not  able  to  promise  them  a  protection 
against  the  squadron  then  blockading  New-London. 
They,  however,  being  disposed  to  run  the  risk,  he  sailed 
M  ith  them  on  the  twenty-fifth,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  tlie 
same  day,  was  compelled  to  throw  himself  between  'liscon- 
voy  and  a  British  frigate,  a  sloop  of  war  and  a  tender,  and 
kej)t  up  a  contest  until  the  coasters  had  safely  reached 
New-London.  Having  attained  his  object,  he  determined 
to  try  what  he  could  do  with  his  gunboats  against  the  ene- 
my's ships.  Furnaces  being  hastily  constructed,  he  beiran 
to  throw  hot  balls  at  the  enemy's  sides,  and  repeatedly 
set  their  ships  on  fire,  without  receiving  any  injury  him- 
self. The  sloop  soon  withdrew,  and  the  fire  was  princi- 
pally directed  against  the  frigate.  One  shot  passed 
tlnough  her,  very  near  tiie  magazine;  her  lieutenant,  and 
a  great  number  of  her  men,  were  already  killed;  her  cap- 
tain was  on  the  point  of  striking,  when  he  observed  that 
tiie  gunboats  had  ceased  firing.  The  night  soon  after 
coming  on  the  guid)oats  desisted  from  the  attack,  detei- 
rained  to  wait  until  morning.  At  daylight,  they  perceived 
the  squadron  towinu;  away;  it  was  resolved  to  pursue  them, 
but  several  other  frigates  soon  after  made  their  appear- 
ance, and  put  a  stop  to  this  design.  This  affair,  together 
with  that  of  Craney  island,  revived  the  discuss'on  on  the 


HISTOliY  OF  THE  WAU. 


541 


1 


utility  of  gunboats  in  the  defence  of  harbours  and  the 
const.  Great  service  had  been  rendered  by  captain  Lewis 
on  this  as  well  as  many  other  occasions. 

Formidable  squadrons  were  kept  up  before  the  ports 
of  New- York,  New-London,  and  Boston;  and  the  whole 
eastern  coast  was  exposed  to  t!ie  enemy.  The  war  was 
carried  on  here  in  a  very  different  manner  from  that  to 
the  south.  Commodore  Hardy  would  not  permit  any 
wanton  outrajj;es  upon  private  property,  or  upon  defence- 
less individuals.  In  spite,  however,  of  his  jrencral  de- 
meanour, there  were  particular  instances  of  the  contrary 
on  the  part  of  the  officers  commanding  smaller  parlies, 
and  actuated  by  a  thirst  for  plunder.  At  the  towns  of 
Wareham  and  Scituate,  they  burned  all  the  vessels  at 
their  moorings;  and  at  the  former,  they  set  fire  to  an  ex- 
tensive cotton  manufjictory.  At  a  place  called  Booth- 
bay,  they  met  with  a  spirited  resistance,  and  w^ere  re- 
pealedly  repulsed  in  various  desperate  attacks. 

An  invasion  of  a  more  serious  nature  was  made  in  July. 
On  the  eleventh  of  that  month,  sir  Thomas  Hardy,  witii 
a  strong  force,  made  a  descent  on  Moose  island,  and  af- 
ter taking  possession  of  Eastport,  declared  all  the  islands 
and  towns,  on  the  eastern  side  of  Passainaquoddy  bay, 
to  appertain  to  his  Britannick  majesty,  and  recpiired  <iie 
inhabitants  ^o  appear  within  seven  day^  and  take  the  oath 
of  allegiance.  About  two-thiids  of  the  inhabitants  suli- 
initted;  but  in  the  month  of  August,  the  council  of  the 
province  of  Vew-Brunswick  declared,  that  notwithsfand- 
ing  tlie  oath  of  allegiance,  they  should  be  considered  as  a 
conquered  people,  and  placed  u:icler  military  government. 
Eastport  was  soon  after  strongly  fortiKed;  but  it  was 
foLuid  extremely  diflicult  for  the  enemy  to  subsist  his 
troops,  and  the  desertions  were  so  frequent  as  to  render 
it  almost  impossible  to  keep  up  a  gai-rison. 

The  commodore  soon  after  sailed  with  a  part  of  his 
squadron,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  Stonington.  The 
appearance  of  this  force  excited  much  alarm,  which  was 
not  diininished  when  they  received  a  messaiie  fiom  the 
commodore,  to  remove  the  women  and  childicn,  as  he 
ha  1  received  orders  to  redu  -e  t.he  place  to  as'es.  The 
inhabitants,  althougii  with  very  trifling  means  of  defencp^ 

21 


^ 


*< 


m 


'  SI 


..5l*v?»*iI';iW^-'^:*.«  V  r^.  ^ 


242 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


tleterminod  to  make  an  attempt  to  save  tlieir  property. 
The  liandful  of  militia  of  the  place,  repaired  to  a  small 
battery  erected  on  the  shore,  and  to  a  breastwork  thrown 
up  for  musketry,  and  at  the  same  time  despatched  an 
express  to  obtain  assistance  from  j!;encral  Cushiiij^,  com- 
manding; at  New-London.  In  the  evenins;,  five  barges 
and  a  large  launch,  filled  with  men,  approached  the  sliore, 
under  cover  of  a  heavy  fire  from  the  ships.  The  Ameri- 
cans, reserving  their  fire  until  the  enemy  were  within 
short  grape  distance,  opened  their  two  eightecn-pounders, 
and  soon  compelled  tlie  invaders  to  retire  out  of  the 
reach  of  their  battery.  They  next  proceeded  to  another 
part  of  the  town,  which  they  supposed  defenceless,  but 
u  part  of  the  militia  being  detached  thitlier  with  a  six- 
pounder,  the  barges  were  again  repulsed;  the  enemy 
then  retired  to  their  ships,  but  d«itermined  to  renew  the 
attack  in  the  morning;  and  in  the  meantime,  kept  up  a 
bombardment  until  midnight.  The  next  morning  it  was 
discovered,  that  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels  liad  ap- 
proached within  pistol  shot  of  the  battery,  an^l  the  bar^';es 
advanced  in  still  greater  numbers  than  the  day  before; 
these  were  again  gallantly  repulsed,  and  the  vessel  driv- 
en from  her  anchorage.  The  squadron  then  renewed 
the  bombardment  of  the  town,  but  without  elfect;  and 
on  the  twelfth  the  commodore  thought  proper  to  retire. 
The  inhabitants,  after  this  ii;allant  defence,  which,  consi- 
dering the  means  witli  which  it  was  effected,  and  the 
great  disparity  of  force  oj)poscd  to  them,  deserves  much 
praise,  once  more  occupied  their  dwellings  in  security. 
It  was  not  long  after  this,  that  the  British  occupied  all 
that  part  of  the  district  of  Maine  between  Penobscot 
river  and  Passamaquoddy  bay,  and  declared  it  to  be  held 
as  a  colony.  On  the  first  of  September,  the  governour 
of  Nova  »Scotia,  and  admiral  Gritllth,  entered  the  Penob- 
scot river,  and  took  possession  of  Castine,  v;  hich  the  gar- 
rison had  previously  evacuated.  A  proclamition  was 
tiiOii  issued,  declaring  that  possession  of  that  part  of  the 
province  of  Maine,  east  of  the  Penobscot,  was  formally 
taken  in  the  name  of  his  Hritannick  majesty;  the  coun- 
try, which  contained  about  thirty  thousand  inhabitants, 
was  then  gradually  occupied,  and  posbcsscd  undl  the 
vHjixciusion  of  the  war. 


1 


•operty. 

a  small 

thrown 

cheil  an 

i«j;,  com- 

i  baiiies 

le  shore, 
Amcri- 

;  within 

oundeis, 

t  of  tlie 
anothei 

less,  but 

th  a  six- 

■i  enemy 

Knew  the 

;ept  up  a 

ijr  it  was 
had   ap- 

he  bar<r,es 

y  before; 

"sel  (Iriv- 
renewed 
ect;  and 
to  retire, 
h,  coMsi- 
,  and  the 
,es  much 
security. 
upied  all 
'enobscot 
be  held 
overnour 
e  Penob- 
the  gi'.r- 
tion  was 
irt  of  the 
I  formally 
lh«i  coun- 
lijibl'.ants, 
Uiiil  the 


lUSTORY  OF  THE  W All.  243 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Xaval  inci<lonts— Oic  Plantap;c'nct  seventy-four  dcrllnes  a  contest  wiilV 
coniniodorc  Uoil<^ors — Cantaiii  Stcwait  chases  a  Hrilish  iVij;alr  orrtinal 
forcH' — ('mis*.'  of  commodore  Porter — Typoe  war — 'I'lie  Ks!S(  \  cap- 
turt<lby  the  Phu.'be  and  Cnerub — The  Peacock  captures  Oie  Kpervier 
—  rheWaspcaplvu'es  the  Kt  iiideer — ^TlieWasp  sinks  the  Avon — Loss 
(»r  the  Wasp— l''i"i;-;:ate  President  captured  by  a  siiua(h'on — Constitu- 
tion eiii^ages  and  captures  two  British  sloops,  the  Cayenne  and  Le-- 
\ant— 'i'lic  llornet  captures  the  I'enguin. 

i  HE  naval  incidents  of  cijihteen  hundred  and  fourteen, 
are  as  orateful  to  American  feelin«^s  as  those  of  the  two 
former  years.  An  occurrence  took  place  in  the  very  be- 
i!;innin^-  of  the  year,  which  aftbrded  to  us  as  much  cause 
fur  tiiumph,  as  of  mortification  to  the  enemy.  In  the 
month  of  February,  commodore  HodiL^ers,  on  his  return 
from  a  cruise  in  the  President,  found  himself  oft*  vSandj 
Hook,  vvithin  a  short  distance  of  three  large  T^ritish  ships 
of  war,  the  nearest  of  which  was  the  Plantagenet,  a  se- 
venty-four. Believing  that  an  engagement  with  one,  or 
all  of  them,  was  unavoidable,  he  defied  his  ship  for  ac- 
tion, determining  not  to  surrender  without  selling  his 
ship  as  dearly  as  he  could.  But  notwithstanding  he  fired 
several  guns  to  windward,  as  a  proof  of  his  willingness 
to  engage,  the  Britisli  vessels  did  not  think  proper  to 
approacli,  and  he  safely  reached  New-York.  Captain 
Lloyd,  of  the  Plantagenet,  after  returning  to  England, 
accounted  for  his  conduct,  by  alleging  a  mutiny  in  his 
sliip,  and  several  of  his  sailors  were  executed  on  the 
charge. 

Another  affair  took  place  soon  after,  which  furnished 
a  still  stronger  proof  of  the  now  acknow  ledged  superiori- 
ty of  America  upon  the  ocean,  an  acknowledgement 
more  strongly  expressed  than  by  words.  In  the  month  of 
April,  captain  Stewart  was  also  on  his  return  in  the 
Constitution,  after  a  cruise,  when  he  \yas  chased  by  two 
British  frigates  and  a  brig,  but  escaped  by  superiour  sea- 
pianship,  into  Marbleheatl.  Sometime  before,  after  cap- 
turing the  publick  schooner  Picton,  he  fell  in  with  the  Bri- 
tish frigate  La  Pique,  captain  Maitland,  who  fled  on  tlite 


1 

if 


M4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


II 


li 


Jipproach  of  the  Constitution,  anil  finally  escaped  dun ng 
I  he  ni^lit,  after  a  lon^  chase,  ('aptain  Maitland  was 
complimented  by  the  board  of  admiralty,  for  thus  obey- 
in!:i;tlicir  instructions,  in  not  fighting  an  Ampr'can  frij:;titc 
singly:  it  havin:;  been  determined  that  not  less  than  two 
fri<i;ates  couM  be  a  match  for  an  American.  The  enemy 
liad  beconje  ccjually  shy  of  the  j^unboat  tlotillii.  Commo- 
dore  Lewis  repeatedly^  beat  otl'  the  British  vessels  near 
Sandy  Hook,  and  facilitated  the  return  of  the  American 
ships.  The  Recent,  loaded  with  a  very  valuable  cargo, 
was  chased  by  the  Ik'lvidera,  when  commodore  Lewis 
i.'iiowin'i;  himself  with  eleven  of  his  gunboats  between 
I  hem,  the  fiigate  moved  oil'  without  returning  the  shot  of 
ihe  VjUiiboats. 

Tliat  bnr*e  and  adventurous  seaman,  commodore  Por- 
iiM,  tonuiaated  this  year  his  glorious  cruise  in  the  Paci- 
lic.  From  Lima,  in  the  neiahbourhood  of  which  he  had 
chastised  the  pirates  of  the  snip  Nereyda,  he  proceeded 
to  the  Gallipagos,  where  he  cruised  from  April,  1813, 
ulilii  October;  and  in  the  course  of  that  time  captured 
twelve  armed  British  whale  ships,  carrying  in  all  one 
hundred  and  seven  guns,  and  three  hundred  and  two 
men.  Several  of  these  were  equipped  as  American 
cruisers  and  store  ships;  and  the  Atlantic,  now  called 
the  Essex  Junior,  of  twenty  guns  and  sixty  men,  was  as- 
signed to  lieutenant  Downes.  The  prizes,  which  were 
to  be  laid  up,  were  convoyed  by  this  officer  to  Valparaiso. 
On  his  return,  he  brought  intelligence  to  commodore 
Porter,  that  a  British  squadron  consisting  of  one  frigate 
and  two  sloops  of  war,  and  a  store  ship  of  twenty  guns, 
had  sailed  in  quest  of  the  Essex.  The  commodore,  ha- 
ving been  almost  a  year  at  sea,  with  little  intermission, 
found  it, absolutely  necessary  that  his  ship  should  under- 
go considerable  repairs.  With  this  view,  he  steered  to 
tiie  island  of  iSooaheevah,  or  Madison's  island,  which  he 
so  i^.nmed  in  honour  of  the  president.  Here  he  found  a 
fine  ba; ,  and  a  siluiition  in  every  respect  suitable- to  his 
wisles,  the  inhabitants  apparently  Iriendh^  But  it  was 
noi  loiig  before  he  found  that  his  situation  would  be  un- 
safe, i:»  1  unse(,uence  of  a  war  which  prevailed  between 
the  inliabitants  of  the   neighbouring  village,  and  those 


amon^ 
his  jo 
him  av 
by  a  r 
with  (I 
enemi( 
peace 
of  this, 
freely 
the  gre 
11  is 
Typeei 
island, 
contini 
straFigc 
every  < 
sue  the 
has  alv\ 
uncivil 
lence  a 
far  by 
natives 
should 
confide 
W'ho  re«] 
his  pre 
in  a  wj 
them  a 
jiuiet  ai 
increas( 
present 
condesc 
rally  en 
who  ha( 
this  mc 
their  es 
discove 
ing  the; 
for  him, 
his  vesf 
of  his  e 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAIT. 


2-1.5' 


among  wnom  he  had  been  received.  These  insisted  npoA 
his  j()inin»-  them  in  their  wars,  and  tlireatened  to  drive 
him  away  if  he  did  pot.  Tlie  commodore  was  compelKul, 
by  a  re«i;ard  to  his  own  safety,  to  senti  a  party  '>f  sailors 
with  the  natives,  who,  by  their  assistance,  def<  ited  tlieir 
enemies;  and  by  the  interference  of  the  commodore,  a 
peace  was  brought  about  between  tliem.  In  conse([uence 
of  this,  tlie  natives  erected  a  viMage  for  tlie  commodore, 
freely  traded  with  him  for  provisions,  and  for  some  time 
the  i^reatest  harmony  prevailed. 

His  safety  was  again  threatened  by  the  conduct  of  the 
Typees,  an  inland  tribe,  one  of  the  most  warlike  on  the 
island,  and  which  still  continued  hostile,  and  who  were 
continually  urging  the  friendly  Indians  to  destroy  the 
strani^ers.  'I'he  commodore  found  his  situation  j;rowing 
every  day  more  critical.  He  therefore  resolved  to  pur- 
sue the  course  necessary  to  ensure  his  safety,  and  which 
has  always  been  held  justifiable  in  our  intercourse  with 
uncivil'.zed  men,  who  are  only  to  be  restrained  from  vio- 
lence and  injustice  by  terrour.  He  had  succeeded  thus 
fur  by  peaceable  means,  and  by  the  permission  of  the 
natives,  in  placing  his  vessel  in  a  state  to  be  repaired;  but 
should  the  tribes  anmnd  him  become  inimical,  (and  what 
confidence  can  any  one  repose  in  the  faith  of  a  savage, 
who  regards  only  force,)  he  inight  be  in  greater  danger  in 
his  present  situation.  He  was  very  unwilling  to  engage 
in  a  war  with  them;  to  prevent  the  necessity,  he  sent 
them  a  present,  and  requested  that  they  would  remain 
quiet  and  be  at  peace.  This  had  no  other  effect  than  to 
increase  their  insolence  to  the  Americans,  whom  they  re- 
presented as  a  cowardly  race,  or  they  would  not  have 
condescended  to  bea:  for  peace.  This  enndty  was  natu- 
rally enough  engendered  by  their  jealousy  of  the  tribes 
who  had  the  benefit  of  thetraffick  with  the  whites,  and  by 
this  means  obtained  articles  from  them,  according  to 
their  estimation,  of  great  value.  The  commodore  now 
discovered,  that  his  safe  y  depended  entirely  upon  mak- 
ing these  people  feel  hfs  strength,  as  it  was  impossible 
for  him,  in  his  present  situation,  to  leave  the  island  until 
his  vessel  could  be  repaired,  and  while  the  greater  part 
of  his  eflfects  were  actually  on  shore.  He  therefore  set 
21* 


'■■■■ ',! 

A        ft 


I 


% 


ir 


246 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


(Tff,  at  the,  h(M(!  of  thirty-five  men,  against  these  peo|)1e, 
cletennitieci  to  give  them  battle,  and,  by  shewinj!;  the  efli- 
cacy  of  iiis  weapons,  compel  tliem  to  be  at  peace.  'J'hc 
tribes,  heretofore  frieiull  v,  were  on  the  point  of  breaking 
out  into  iu)stilities,  anil  were  only  induced  to  wait  the 
result  of  this  cxpeilition,  of  wiiich  they  were  little  more 
than  silent  spectators.  The  commodore  had  in  vain  en- 
deavoured to  convince  them  of  rhe  destructive  nature  of 
his  fire-arms,  by  shooting  at  rocks  and  trees;  war  was 
absolutely  unavoidable.  Hut  the  small  force  with  which 
he  marched,  was  insufllcient  to  make  any  impression. 
Their  country  being  exceedingly  mountainous  and 
aboundin<^  in  thickets,  rendered  it  easy  for  them  to  es- 
cape. The  commodore  was,  therefore,  compelled  to  re- 
turn in  a  worse  situation  tlian  before.  To  prevent  the 
friendly  Indians  from  rising,  he  found  it  necessary  to  in- 
form them,  that  he  would  j)rocced  the  next  day  with  the 
irreater  part  of  his  men.  A  large  body  was  now  marched 
across  the  mountains,  notwithstanding  the  extreme  difti- 
culties  of  the  route,  and  penetrated  into  their  valley;  but 
the  natives,  as  usual,  took  refuge  in  their  inaccessible 
fastnesses.  The  only  mode  of  causing  them  to  feel  the 
ronsequenf^es  of  their  conduct,  was  in  the  destruction  of 
their  villages;  nine  of  them  were  accordingly  burnt,  after 
which  the  party  retreated.  The  Typees  now  gladly  ac- 
(^epted  terms  of  peace,  and  all  the  tribes  on  the  island, 
soon  after,  were  reconciled  to  each  other;  a  '^ircumstance 
which  the  oldest  amongst  them  did  not  recollect  to  have 
seen;  and  they  vied  with  each  otiier  in  friendship  to- 
V.ards  the  whites  while  the  connnodore  remained. 

The  destruction  of  the  Typee  villages  has  given  rise^ 
on  the  part  of  the  British  writers,  to  the  most  scandalous 
abuse  of  commodore  Porter  and  the  American  people,  by 
which  means  they  have  endeavoured  to  bring  tne  acts  of 
the  Americans  to  a  level  with  their  own.  The  destruc- 
tion of  a  few  wigwams  covered  with  palmtrees,  erected 
to  shield  the  inhabitants  from  the  heats  or  the  rains  of  the 
torrid  zone,  effected  by  an  American  officer  in  self-de- 
fence, and  for  the  sake  of  peace,  is  to  be  viewed  with 
horrour;  while  the  conduct  of  the  British  government  in 
IiKlia,  in  America,  and  throughqut  the  world,  withoat  arf>' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


247 


RU'i': 


lie  eft'i- 

.  '\y 

caking 
vait  the 
Ic  more 
vain  en- 
lit  u  re  of 
^ar  was 
h  which 
>ression. 
ms   and 
m  to  es- 
eil  to  re- 
vent  the 
iiy  to  in- 
with  the 
marched 
ime  difti- 
lley;  but 
ccessible 
feel  the 
uction  of 
rnt,  after 
ladly  ac- 
le  islan^l, 
unstance 
to  have 
Iship  tu- 
I. 

iven  riscj 
andalous 
leople,  by 
,e  acts  of 
destruc- 
erected 
ns  of  the 
self-de- 
ed with 
ment  in 
loat  any 


other  motive  than  base  rapacity,  is  to  be  passed  over  un* 
noticed.  The  destruction  of  the  'I'ypoe  villa<jes,  is  the 
conduct  of  a  bucanier,  in  commodore  Porter;  but  the 
wanton  destruction  of  a  tlouiishin<j;  town,  inhabited  by 
civiliz.ed  people,  on  the  :oast  of  (Miili,by  admiral  Anson, 
is  an  exploit  to  be  boasted  of.  Can  it  be  that  the  wanton 
destruction  of  our  villaj;es  on  tlie  sea-coast,  by  tlie  British 
admirals,  was  in  retaliation  for  the  destruction  of  tlie 
Typee  villages?  Accusations  of  this  nature  ill  befit  an 
Knglishman:  they  too  readily  call  to  mind  the  innumera- 
ble acts  of  wicked,  depraved,  rapacious  violence,  which 
Great  Britain,  in  common  with  other  PiUropean  powers, 
lias,  without  scruple,  committe<l  upon  the  inhabitants  of 
botli  the  Indies.  Kven  if  theie  be  y;rounds  for  the  accu- 
sation, it  is  not  for  Britain  to  be  the  accuser.  Humanity 
must  undoubtedly  re<:;ret  that  the  villai^es  of  the  Typees 
were  destroyed;  but  reason  must  acknovvle(lo;e  the  jus- 
tice of  the  destruction,  from  the  impossibility  of  purchas- 
ini^  peace  and  security  from  the  savage  by  any  other 
means. 

There  is  one  part  of  commodore  Porter's  conduct 
which  is  not  approved;  the  taking  possession  of  the  is- 
land in  the  name  of  the  American  government:  this,  it 
is  true,  gave  satisfaction  to  the  natives,  who  regarded  it 
as  a  mere  expression  of  friendship,  or  rather  an  adoption 
amongst  the  Mellickees,  and  extending  no  further;  but 
this  was  following  the  examp'e  of  the  European  states, 
who  have  usually  considered  themselves  entitled,  by  the 
right  of  discovery,  to  territrries  inhabited  oidy  by  unci- 
vilized men.  VYc,  however,  have  followed  a  different 
principle,  and  had  the  Typee  war  ensued  in  consequence 
of  this  act,  it  could  find  no  justification;  of  this  there  is 
no  dimbt;  the  enmity  of  the  Indians  proceeded  from 
their  jealousy  of  the  tribes  nearer  the  sea-coast;  who  had 
freely  permitted  the  commodore  to  reiit  his  vessel.  In 
no  instance  has  any  European  power  acknowledi>e<l  the 
right  of  civilized  men  to  the  lands  occupied  by  them; 
they  have  uniformly  possessed  themselves  by  violence  of 
such  portions  as  they  wanted,  whereas  the  United  States 
have  uniformly  obtained  them  by  purchase. 


■  I 


I  > 


I* 


ir<A 


I     i 


^48 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 


V 


Tlic  Es^ex  being  completely  repaired,  and  provided 
Avitii  provisions  for  four  months,  sailed  for  .Valparaiso  on 
the  twelfth  of  December,  in  company  with  the  Essex  Ju- 
nior. The  thiee  prizes  were  secured  under  the  fort,  left 
in  the  charge  of  lieutenant  Gamble,  of  the  marines,  with 
orders  to  proceed  to  Valparaiso,  after  a  certain  time. 

It  was  not  long  after  the  arrival  of  commodore  Porter 
at  Valparaiso,  when  commodore  llillyar  appeared  tijere 
in  the  Phoebe  frigate,  accompanied  by  the  Cherub  sloop 
of  M  ar.  These  vessels  had  been  equipped  for  the  pur- 
pose of  meeti'iu;  the  F^ssex,  with  picKed  crews,  in  prime 
Older,  and  hoisted  llau;s  bearing;  the  motto,  "God  and  our 
country,  British  sailors' best  rights;  traitors  offend  them." 
This  was  in  allusion  to  Porter's  celebrated  motto,  "Free 
trade  and  sailors'  rights;"  he  now  hoisted  at  his  mizzen, 
"God,  our  country,  and  liberty:  tyrants  offend  them." 
On  entering;  the  harbour,  the  British  commodoie  fell 
foul  of  the  Kssex,  in  such  a  situation  as  to  be  placed  com- 
pletely in  the  power  of  the  latter;  the  forbearance  of  com- 
modore Porter  was  acknowledged  by  the  English  com- 
mander, arni  he  passed  his  word  and  honour  to  observe 
the  same  regard  to  the  neutrality  of  the  port. 

The  British  vessels  soon  af^er  stood  out,  and  cruised 
off  the  port  about  six  weeks,  rigorously  blockading  the 
Essex.  Their  united  force  amounted  to  eighty-(me  guns 
and  about  five  hundred  men,  about  double  that  of  the 
Essex;  but  the  circumstance  of  this  force  being  divided 
in  two  ships,  rendered  the  disparity  still  greater;  and  was 
by  no  means  counterbalanced  by  the  Essex  Juni,)r,  ( Om- 
modore  Porter  being  prevented  by  this  great  disparity  of 
force,  from  engaging,  made  repeated  attempts  to  draw 
the  Phcebe  into  action  siniily,  either  by  manceuvring  or 
sending;  formal  challenges;  but  commodore  Hillyar  care* 
fully  av(»ided  the  cominy;  to  action  alone.  The  American! 
commander,  hearinii.-  that  an  additional  British  force  wan 
on  its  way,  and  having  discovered  that  his  vessel  could 
outsail  tliose  of  the  British,  determined  to  sail  out,  arid, 
while  the  enemy  was  in  chase,  enable  the  Essex  Junior  to| 
escape  to  a  place  of  rwndezvou  *  previously  appointed. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  of  March,  the  wind  coming  odI 
to  blow  fresh  from  the  southward;  the  Essex  parted  herl 


HiSTOllY  OF  THE  WAR. 


249 


provided 
iiaiso  on 
Essex  Ju- 

fort,  left 
ines,  with 
time. 
»re  Porter 
ired  ti^ere 
irub  sloop 
ir  the  pur- 
i,  in  prime 
od  and  our 
?end  them:' 
otto,  "Free 
[lis  mi'/.zen, 
end   them." 
nod  ore   fell 
placed  coin- 
Lnce  of  coin- 
.ngUsh  com- 

to  observe 

and  cruised 
)ckading  the 


starboard  cable,  and  dragu;ed  her  larboard  anchor  to  sea. 
Nof  a  moment  was  lost  in  i;etting  sail  on  the  shij),  as  it 
was  determined  to  seize  this  moment  to  escape.  In  en- 
deavouring to  pass  to  the  windward  of  the  enemy,  a 
squall  struck  the  American  vessel,  just  as  she  wTis  doub- 
linjj;  the  point,  which  carried  away  her  maintopniast; 
both  ships  immediately  gave  chase,  and  being  unable  <o 
escape  in  his  crippled  state,  the  commodore  endeavoured 
to  put  back  into  the  harbour;  but  finding  this  imj.ractii  a- 
b!c,  he  ran  into  a  small  bay,  and  anchored  within  pistol 
shot  of  the  shore:  where,  frooi  a  supposition  (hat  th.e  ene-' 
Miy  would  continue  to  respect  flie  neutrality  of  the  pint, 
he  tiiouj>;ht  himself  secuie.  He  soon  found,  however,  by 
the  manner  in  which  they  approached,  that  he  was  mis- 
taken. With  all  possible  despatch,  therefoie,  he  prepar- 
ed liis  ship  for  action,  and  endeavoured  to  get  a  sprin;?;  on 
his  cable,  which  he  coukl  not  accomplish  before  tiie  ene- 
my commenced  the  attack,  at  fifty-four  ndnutes  past 
three.  At  first  the  Phcebe  placed  herself  on  his  stern, 
and  the  Cherub  on  his  larboard  bow;  but  the  latter  soon 
finding  herself  exposed  to  a  hot  fire,  changed  her  position, 
and  with  her  consort,  kept  up  a  raking  fire  ninler  his 
stern.  The  American  being  unable  to  bring  his  broad- 
side to  bear  on  the  enemy,  his  spring  cables  having  been 
three  times  shot  away,  was  obliged,  therefore,  to  rely  for 
defence  against  this  tremendous  attack,  on  three  bmg 
twelve  pounders;  which  he  ran  out  of  the  stern  ports; 
but  which  were  worked  with  such  braverv  and  skill,  as  in 
half  an  hour,  to  do  so  much  injury  to  the  enemy,  a«  to 
compel  them  to  haul  ort"  ajid  repair.  It  was  evident  that 
commodore  Hillyar  meant  to  risk  nothing  from  the  dar- 
ing courage  of  the  Americans;  all  his  manoeuvies  were 
deliberate  and  wary;  his  antagonist  was  in  his  power, 
and  his  only  concern  was  to  succeed  with  as  little  loss  to 
himself  as  possible.  The  situation  of  the  Essex  was  most 
vexatious  to  our  brave  countrymen;  many  of  them  wore, 
already  killed  and  woundeil,  and  from  the  crippled  slate 
of  their  ship,  they  were  unable  to  bring  her  guns  to  bear 
upon  the  enemy. — Her  gallant  crew  were  not  dishearten- 
ed, aroused  to  desiieration,  they  expressed  their  defiance 
to  the  enemy,  and  their  determination  to  hold  out  iu 
the  last. 


y 


*.*'! 


m 


'-,< 


ii! 

•i'  Ff  1 

1.' 

i; 

M 

i 

m 
k 

finmw^ 


>'ii<KsJm^, 


250 


HISTOny  OF  THE   WAR. 


The  enemy  having  repaired,  now  placed  himself,  with 
botJi  ships,  on  the  starboard  quarter  of  the  JhiSsex,  where 
none  or  her  e;uns  could  be  brou^^ht  to  bear;  the  com- 
modore saw  no  hope  but  in  g;etting  under  way;  the  flyin;- 
jib  was  the  only  sail  he  could  set;  this  he  caused  to  be 
hoisted,  cut  his  cable,  and  ran  down  on  both  ships,  with 
the  intention  of  laying  the  Phcebe  on  board.  For  a  siiort 
time,  he  was  enabled  to  close  witli  the  enemy,  and  the 
firing  was  tremendous;  the  decks  of  the  Essex  were 
stiewed  with  dead,  and  her  cockpit  filled  with  the  wound- 
ed;  she  had  been  several  times  im  fire,  and  was,  in  fact^ 
a  perfect  wreck.  At  this  moment,  a  feeble  hope  arose, 
that  she  might  still  be  saved,  in  consequence  of  the  Cheiub 
being  compelled  to  haul  off  on  account  of  her  crippled 
state:  she,  however,  kept  up  her  fire  at  a  distance,  with 
her  long  guns.  The  Essex  was  unable,  how  ever,  to  take 
advantage  of  the  circumstance,  as  the  Phoibe  edged  oft" 
and  also  kept  up,  at  a  distance,  a  destructive  fire;  the 
former  being  totally  bereft  of  Iier  sails,  could  not  bring 
her  to  close  quarters.  Commodore  Porter,  finding  the 
greater  part  of  his  crew  disabled,  at  last  gave  up  all  hope, 
and  attempted  to  run  his  vessel  on  shore,  the  wind  at  that 
moment  favouring  liis  design;  but  it  suddenly  changed, 
drove  her  close  upon  the  Phoebe;  exposing  her  to  a  rak- 
ing fire.  The  ship  was  totally  unmanageable,  but  as  she 
drifted  with  her  head  to  the  enemy,  commiodore  Porter 
again  seized  a  faint  hope  of  being  able  to  board.  At  this 
moment,  lieutenant  Downes  came  on  board,  to  receive 
on.ers,  expecting  that  his  commander  would  soon  be  a 
prisoner.  His  services  could  be  of  no  avail  in  the  pre- 
sent deplorable  state  of  t'ne  Essex,  and  finding  from  the 
enemy's  putting  up  his  helm,  that  the  last  attempt  at 
board inu;  would  not  succeed,  Oownes  was  directed  to  re- 
pair to  his  ship,  to  be  prepared  for  defending  and  de- 
stroying her,  in  case  of  attack. 

Tlie  slaughter  on  board  the  Essex  now  became  horri- 
ble, the  enemy  continuing  to  rake  her,  while  she  was  un- 
able to  brins;  a  single  gun  to  bear.  Still  her  ccnnmander 
refused  to  yield  while  a  ray  of  hope  appeared.  Every 
expedient,  ti'at  a  fertile  and  inventive  genius  could  sug- 
gest, was  resorted  to,  in  the  forlorn  hope,  that  he  might 
lie  able,  by  some  lucky  chance,  to  escapQ  from  the  jjras^i 


of  the 
the  an 
around 
was  agi 
cripplei 
thought 
vered  i\ 

expedie 

the  last 

her  situi 

fire  both 

hatch  wa 

uoi'd  w; 

Thus  sui 

ing  his  s 

ny  of  hi 

to  the  sh 

hoped  th; 

the  ship  I 

only  hop 

effected, I 
cd  to  staJ 
mander. 

They  n 
ceeded;  a 
their  strei 
effort  Was 
sulfation 
fiishment 
M'Night, 
ship  were 
gerofsinl^ 
even  her  b 
J^dled  und 
enemy,  ;?,t 
Jiaving  bee 
every  shot 
conimodord 
to  give  the 
^.'"v,  prob; 
tinued  to  fi 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ea-i 


f,  Mlth 

,  where 

e  com- 

!  flyin';:- 

(l  to  i)e 

ps,  with 

■  a  short 

and  the 

tx   were 

!  vvouniU 

,  in  fact* 

)e  anwe, 

e  Cherub 
ciippled 

ice,  with 

',  to  take 

'(l^ed  oft*, 
iire;  the 

not  bring 

iidin<^  tlie 

)  all  hope, 

nd  at  that 
changed, 
to  a  rak- 
11 1  us  she 
ire  Porter 
At  this 
to  receive 
soon  be  a 
|n  the  prfr* 
from  the 
ttempt  at 
ted  to  re- 
g  and  de- 

ime  horri- 

le  was  un- 

lommander 

Id.    Every 

Icould  sug- 

he  m'X^^^ 

the  ^rasc 


of  the  foe.  A  hawser  was  bent  to  the  sheet  anchor,  and 
the  anchor  cut  from  the  bows  to  brinia;  the  ship's  head 
around.  This  succeeded;  the  broadside  of  tlie  FiSsex 
was  a^am  brought  to  bear;  and  as  the  enemy  was  much 
crippled,  and  unable  to  hold  his  own,  the  commodore 
thought  she  might  drift  out  of  gunshot,  before  he  disco- 
vered that  the  Essex  had  anchored;  but  alas!  this  last 
expedient  failed;  the  hawser  parted,  and  with  it  went 
the  last  lingering  hope  of  the  Essex.  At  this  moment 
her  situation  was  aw  ful  beyond  description.  She  was  on 
fire  both  before  and  aft,  the  flames  were  bursting  up  her 
hatchway,  a  quantity  of  powder  exploded  below,  and 
word  was  given  that  the  th'e  was  near  her  magay.inc. 
Thus  surrounded  by  horrours,  without  any  chance  of  sav- 
ing his  ship,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  saving  as  ma- 
ny of  his  gallant  companions  as  he  could;  the  distance 
to  the  shore  not  exceeding  three  quarters  of  a  mile,  he 
hoped  that  many  of  them  would  save  then^selves  before 
tlie  ship  blew  up.  His  boats  being  cut  uj),  they  could 
only  hope  to  escape  by  swimming;  by  some  this  was 
effected,  but  .the  greater  part  of  his  generous  crew  resolv- 
ed to  stay  by  the  ship,  and  share  the  fate  of  their  com- 
mander. 

They  now  laboured  to  extinguish  the  flames,  and  suc- 
ceeded; after  this,  they  again  repaired  to  their  guns,  but 
their  strength  had  become  so  much  exhausted,  that  this 
eftort  w^asin  vain.  Commodore  Porter  summoned  a  con- 
sultation of  the  officers  of  the  divisions,  when  to  his  asto- 
nishment only  one  acting  lieutenant,  Stephen  Decatur 
M'Night,  appeared.  The  accounts  from  every  |)art  of  tlie 
ship  were  deplorable  indeed;  she  was  in  imminent  dan- 
ger of  sinking,  and  so  crowded  with  the  wounded,  that 
even  her  birthdeck  could  hold  no  more,  and  several  were 
killed  under  the  surgeon's  hands.  In  the  meantime  the 
enemy,  «,t  a  secirre  distance,  continued  his  fne;  the  water 
having  become  smooth,  he  struck  the  hull  of  the  Essex  at 
every  shot.  At  last  despairing  of  saving  his  ship,  the 
commodore  was  compelled,  at  twenty  minutes  past  si: 
to  give  tlie  painful  orders  to  strike  tlie  colours.  The  en- 
emy, probably  not  seeing  tiiat  this  hod  taken  place,  con- 
tinued to  fire  for  ten  minutes  after,  and  I'oi  ter  w  as  about 


11 


'  1 


*?■  !! 


■jpllpl^ 


252 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


to  give  orders  tliat  the  colours  should  again  be  hoisted, 
under  a  belief  that  the  enemy  intended  to  <i,ive  no  quar- 
ters, when  the  tiring  ceased.  The  loss  on  board  the  Ks- 
sex  was  tifty-ei^ht  killed,  thirty-nine  wounded  severely, 
twenty-seven  slightly,  and  thirty -one  niissin;^.  Ihe  loss 
oi.  '-^oard  the  British  vessels  was  live  killed  and  ten 
wounded;  but  they  were  both  much  cut  up  in  their  hulls 
and  rigj»ing;  the  Phoebe  could  scarcely  be  kept  afloat  un- 
til she  ancliored  in  the  port  of  Valparaiso  next  morning. 

Comuiodoie  Porter  was  paroled,  and  permitted  to  re- 
turn to  the  United  States  in  the  Rssex  Junior,  which  was 
converted  into  a  cartel  for  the  purpose.  On  arriving  ott' 
the  port  of  New-York,  the  vessel  was  detained  by  the  Sa- 
turn razee,  ^nd  to  the  dis^  ice  of  the  British  navy,  al- 
ready dishonoured  by  the  base  attack  upon  this  gallant 
oflicer,  he  was  compelled  to  give  up  his  parole,  and  de- 
clare himself  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  as  such  he  informed 
the  British  officer  that  he  would  attempt  his  escape.  In 
consequence  of  this  threat,  the  Kssex  Junior  was  oidered 
to  remain  under  the  lee  of  the  Saturn;  but  the  next  morn- 
ing commodore  l^oiter  put  off  in  his  boat,  though  thiitj 
miles  from  shore,  and  notwithstanding  the  pursuit  by 
those  of  the  Saturn,  arrived  safely  in  New-York.  Here 
he  was  received  with  open  arms  by  his  countrymen;  the 
most  unbounded  demonstrations  of  joy  prevailed  where- 
ever  he  appeared,  and  certainly  his  services  to  his  coun- 
try justly  claimed  its  gratitude  and  esteem. 

Perhaps  a  more  dreadful  example  of  determined,  un- 
conquerable courage  was  never  exhibited,  than  in  the  de- 
fence of  the  Kssex:  to  an  American,  no  victory  can  afford 
more  pleasing  and  proud  recollection;  to  our  enemy,  it 
cannot  be  remembered  without  shame,  as  gained  by  un- 
manliness  in  the  first  place,  and  in  the  next  by  violating 
neutral  rights.  May  no  victory  crown  my  country  thus 
unfairly  won.  It  is  pleasing  to  see  the  spontaneous  ex- 
piession  of  human  feeling  in  favour  of  the  weak,  when 
contending  against  superiour  and  lawless  force.  Thou- 
sands of  tliC  inhabitants  of  V^alparaiso  covered  the  neigh- 
bouring iieights,  as  spectators  of  the  conilict.  Touched 
with  the  forlorn  situation  of  the  Essex,  and  filled  with  ad- 
miration at  the  unflagging  spirit  and  j)erseveiing  bravery 


of  her  coi 
the  multi 
by  any  vi 
seemed  t 
tors  were 
of  sympal 
t^f"^  gallai 
unresistin 
During 
single  exc 
ity  of  fore 
sloop  of  V 
cruise  dur 
to  St.  Mar 
twenty-nir 
captain  W 
tain  Warn 
were  maki 
foreyard  of 
shot  in  the 
of  the  use  c 
keep  aloof 
ed  [x)rty-tw 
rable  dama 
jured.     Th 
hold,  her  U 
her  forema 
shot  away, 
which  vver 
iier  crew 
teen  men  \ 
sion  of  by 
cock,  who  1 
been  alreacF 
sum  of  one 
cie  was  foj 
Captain  wf 
to  one  of  tl 
tain  discovj 
oflieutenai 
the  Peaco( 


mSTOUY  OF  THE  WAK. 


1253 


mil 


of  lier  commander  and  crew,  a  (generous  ar  xietj  animated 
the  multitude  for  their  tate;  bu  -sts  of  delight  arose  when, 
by  any  vicissitude  of  battle  or  prompt  expedient,  a  change 
seemed  to  turn  up  in  their  favour;  and  the  eager  specta- 
tors were  seen  to  wring  their  hands,  and  to  utter  groans 
of  sympathy  when  tlie  transient  hope  was  defeated,  and 
the  gallant  little  frigate  once  more  become  the  object  of 
unresisting  slaughter. 

During  the  third  year,  every  naval  combat,  without  a 
single  exception,  where  tliere  was  any  thing  like  an  equal- 
ity offeree,  terminated  in  favour  of  the  Americans.  The 
sloop  of  war  Peacock,  launched  in  October,  performed  a 
cruise  during  the  winter,  and  on  her  return  was  chased  in- 
to St.  Mary's.  She  soon  after  put  to  sea  igain,  and  on  the 
twenty-ninth  of  April  discovered  the  brig  of  warEpervier, 
captain  Wales,  having  several  vessels  under  convoy.  Cap- 
tain Warrington  engaged  the  Epervier,  while  the  others 
were  makin*'  their  escape.  At  the  first  broadside,  the 
foreyard  of  the  Peacock  was  totally  disabled  by  two  round 
shot  in  the  starboard  quarter.  By  this  she  was  deprived 
of  the  use  of  her  fore  and  fore-topsail,  and  was  obliged  to 
keep  aloof  during  the  remainder  of  the  action^  which  last- 
ed forty -two  minutes.  In  tiiis  time  she  received  conside- 
rable damage  in  ner  rigging,  but  her  hull  was  not  at  all  in- 
jured. The  Epervier  struck,  having  five  feet  water  in  her 
hold,  her  topmast  over  her  side,  her  main  boom  shot  away, 
her  foremast  cut  nearly  in  two,  her  fore  rigging  and  stays 
shot  away,  her  hull  pierced  by  forty-five  shot,  twenty  of 
wliich  were  within  a  foot  of  her  water  line.  Eleven  of 
her  crew  were  killed,  and  her  first  lieutenant  and  four- 
teen men  wounded.  She  was  immediately  taken  posses- 
sion of  by  lieutenant  Nicholson,  first  officer  of  the  Pea- 
cock, who  with  lieutenant  Vorliees,  of  the  same  ship,  had 
been  already  distinguished  in  another  naval  action.  The 
sum  of  one  hundred  and  eighteen  thousand  dollars  in  spe- 
cie was  found  in  her,  and  transferred  to  the  Peacock. 
Captain  Warrington  immediately  repaired,  with  his  prize, 
to  one  of  the  southern  ports.  The  day  following  the  cap- 
tain discovered  two  frigates  in  chase.  At  the  su^oesiion 
of  lieutenant  Nicholson,  he  tool  all  the  prisoners  ou  board 
the  Peacock,  and  leaving  a  sufficient  number  on  board  i\\v 
2,2 


ii 


TK 


'254 


HISTORY  OF  THii  WAR* 


Epcrvier  lor  tiio  purpose  of  navigating  her,  he  dirccfeil  lior 
to  seek  the  nearest  port.  By  skilful  ieanianshipthe  cap- 
tain succeeded  in  escapinj^  from  the  enemy's  sliips,  and 
reached  Savannah,  where  he  found  his  piize.  I^ieutenant 
Nicholson,  by  his  gocxl  management,  liad  brought  lier  in, 
after  encountering  very  great  difliculties. 

The  new  sloop  of  war  Wasp,  captain  Blakely,  saihd 
from  Portsmouth  on  the  first  of  May,  and  after  capfuriii"- 
seven  merchantmen,  fell  in  with  the  British  brig  of  war 
the  Reindeer,  captain  Manners,  which  slie  captured  after 
an  action  of  eighteen  minutes.  On  the  sixth  of  July,  be- 
ing in  chase  of  two  vessels,  he  discovered  the  Reindeer, 
and  immediately  altered  his  course,  and  hauled  by  the 
wind  in  chase  of  her.  At  fifteen  minutes  past  one,  captain 
Blakely  prepared  for^action;  but  it  was  not  before  fifteen 
minutes  after  three,  in  consequence  of  their  manceuvring, 
and  the  endeavours  of  the  Reindeer  to  escape,  that  they 
approached  sufficiently  near  to  engage.  Several  guns 
were  fired  from  the  Wasp  before  her  antagonist  could 
bring  her  guns  to  bear;  her  helm  was  then  put  alee, 
and  at  twenty-six  minutes  after  three,  captain  Blakely 
commenced  the  action  with  his  after  carronades  on  the 
starboard  side,  and  fired  in  succession.  Sliortly  after, 
the  larboard  bow  coming  in  contact  with  the  Wasp,  cap- 
tain Manners  gave  orders  to  board,  but  the  attempt  was 
gallantly  repulsed  by  the  crew  of  the  Wasp,  and  the  ene- 
my was  several  times  repelled:  at  forty-four  minutes  past 
three,  orders  were  given  to  board  in  turn.  Throwing 
themselves  with  promptitude  upon  her  deck,  they  suc- 
ceeded in  the  execution  of  their  orders;  and  at  forty  mi- 
nutes past  three  the  flag  of  the  enemy's  ship  came  down. 
She  was  ohnost  cut  to  pieces,  and  half  her  crew  were  killed 
and  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  Wasp  was  five  killed  and 
twenty-one  wounded;  among  the  latter,  midshipmen  Lang- 
don  and  Toscan,  both  of  whom  expired  some  days  after. 
The  Reindeer  having  been  found  altogether  unmanage- 
able, was  blown  up,  and  captain  Blakely  steered  for 
Ij'Orient,  to  provide  for  the  wounded  of  both  crews. 

After  leaving  L'Orient,  and  capturing  two  valuable  Bri- 
tish merchantmen,  captain  Blakely  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of 
ten  sail,  under  convoy  of  the  Armada  seventy-four  and  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


255 


irccfeil  her 
p  the  cap- 
si  lips,  and 
--ieutenant 
111  lier  in, 


ely,  saih'd 
'  captiirini^ 
)rig  of  uar 
tuie(i  after 
jf  July,  be- 

Reindeor, 
led  by  the 
ne,  captain 
fore  fifteen 
incEuvring, 
,  that  they 
veral  guns 
mist  could 
1  put  alee, 
ill  Blakely 
[les  on  the 
ortly  after, 
Wasp,  cap- 
tempt  >vas 
nd  the  ene- 
inutes  past 

Throwing 
,  they  suc- 
d  forty  mi- 
ame  down, 
were  killed 
killed  and 
men  Lang- 
days  after, 
unmanage- 
iteered  for 
evvs. 

duable  Bri- 
ll a  fleet  of 
•four  and  a 


bomb  ship.  He  stood  for  them,  and  succeeded  in  cutting 
out  of  the  scpiadron  a  brig  laden  with  brass  and  ii  on  can- 
non and  military  stores,  from  Gibraltar;  after  taking  out 
the  prisoners  and  setting  her  on  fire,  he  endeavoured  to 
cut  out  another,  but  was  cliased  oft'  by  the  seventy-four. 
In  the  evening,  at  half  past  six,  he  desciied  two  vessels, 
one  on  his  staiboard  and  one  on  his  larboard  bow,  and 
hauled  for  that  which  was  farthest  to  windward.  At  se- 
ven she  was  discovered  to  be  a  brig  of  wai-,  and  at  twenty- 
nine  minutes  past  nine,  she  was  under  the  lee  b^w  of  the 
Wasp.  An  action  soon  after  commenced,  which  lasted 
until  ten  o'clock,  when  captain  Blakely,  supposinghis  an- 
tagonist to  be  silenced,  rcased  firing,  and  demanded  if  he 
had  surrendered.  No  answer  being  returned,  he  com- 
menced firing;  and  the  enemy  returned  broadside  for 
broadside  for  twelve  minutes,  wlien,  perceiving  that  the 
two  last  were  not  returned,  he  haiied  again,  and  was  in- 
formed that  she  was  sinking,  and  that  iier  commander  had 
struck.  Before  tlie  Wasp's  boats  could  be  lowered,  a  se- 
cond brij^  of  war  wa?:  fiiscovered:  the  crew  were  ir.?;tantl  v 
sent  to  tneir  quarters,  and  the  Wasp  was  stand ini.-;  f)  for 
the  approach  of  the  stranger,  when  two  other  brig;;  ap- 
peared: he  now  made  sail,  and  endeavoured  to  draw  the 
first  one  after  him,  but  without  effect.  The  name  of  the 
prize  has  since  been  ascertained  to  have  been  the  Avon, 
captain  Arbuthnot,  of  the  same  force  as  the  Reindeer.  She 
sunk  immediately  after  the  last  man  had  been  taken  out 
of  her.  She  had  eight  killed  and  thirty-one  wounded,  in- 
cluding her  captain  and  several  other  officers. 

The  Wasp  soon  repaired  her  damage,  and  contiiiiied 
on  her  cruise.  On  the  tw^enty-firot  of  September,  slie  cap- 
tured, off"  the  Madeiras,  her  thirteenth  prize,  the  Britisii 
brig  Atalanta,  eight  guns,  and  the  only  one  she  sent  into 
port.  The  return  of  this  vessel,  after  her  brilliant  cruise, 
was  for  a  long  time  fondly  looked  for  by  our  country;  but 
ail  hope  has  at  last  vanished  of  ever  seeing  her  again. 
There  is  but  little  doubt  that  the  brave  commander  and 
Jhis  gallant  crew  have  found  a  common  grave  in  the  waste 
of  ocean;  but  they  will  always  live  in  the  fond  gratitude 
and  recollection  of  their  country. 


.<.ii 


ul 


56 


HISTORY  (»F  THE  WAU. 


The  blockade  ot  commodore  Decatur*3  squadron  at 
New-London,  having  been  continued  until  after  the  season 
had  passed  in  which  there  existed  any  prospect  of  escape, 
the  ships  were  oitlered  up  the  river  and  dismantled,  while 
fhe  commodore  with  his  crew  were  transferred  to  the  Pre- 
sident, then  at  New-York.  A  cruise  was  contemplated, 
in  conjunction  with  the  Peacock,  the  Hornet,  and  the  Tom 
Bowliiie  etorc-ship.  The  commodore  thinking  it  more 
safe  to  venture  out  singly,  appointed  a  place  of  rendez- 
vous, and  ordered  tha  oUier  vessels  to  follow.  In  conse- 
quence of  the  ntr  :;^„t.'  »  of  the  pilot,  the  President  struck 
upon  the  bar,  and  mt.n  2d  there  thumping  for  two  hours, 
by  v.'hich  her  ballasc  was  •  .anged,  and  her  trim  for  sail- 
ing entirely  lost.  The  course  of  the  wind  prevented  him 
from  returning  into  port;  he  put  to  sea,  trusting  to  the  ex- 
cellence o("  the  vessel.  At  daylight  he  fell  in  with  a  Bri- 
tish squadron,  consisting;  of  the  Endymion,  Tenedosanc! 
Pomoue  frigates,  and  tne  Majestick  razee.  In  spite  of 
every  exertion  they  gained  upon  him;  the  foremost,  the 
Endymion,  got  close  under  his  quarters,  and  commenced 
firing.  The  commodore  determined  to  bear  up  and  en- 
gage her,  with  the  intention  of  carrying  her  by  boarding, 
and  afterwards  escaping  in  her,  and  abandoning  his  own 
ship.  In  this  he  was  prevented  by  the  manceuvring  of 
the  enemy,  who  protracted  the  engagement  for  two  hours, 
until  the  rest  of  the  squadron  were  fast  gaining  upon 
them.  He  now  assailed  the  Endymion,  and  in  a  short 
time  completely  silenced  her,  leaving  her  a  wreck.  The 
President  was  also  considerably  damaged,  having  lost 
twenty-five  in  killed  and  wounded;  among  the  former, 
lieutenants  Babit  and  Hamilton;  and  acting  lieutenant 
Howell;  among  the  latter,  the  commodore  himself,  and 
midshipman  Dale,  who  afterwards  died.  On  the  approach 
of  the  squadron,  the  gallant  commodore,  unwilling  to  sa- 
crifice the  lives  of  his  men  in  a  useless  contest,  on  receiv- 
ing the  fire  of  the  nearest  frigate,  surrendered.  On  this 
occasion,  we  cannot  pass  in  silence  the  dishonourable  con- 
duct of  the  British  officers  of  the  navy,  where  such  ou^ht 
least  to  have  been  expected.  The  generous  and  heroick 
character  of  Decatur  IS  acknowledged  whereyer  the  Ame- 
rican flag  is  known,  and  requires  no  testimony  in  its  sup- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


25; 


f?  M] 


port,  for  the  British  themselves  have  often  declared  their 
admiration  of  this  chivalrous  officer.  The  commodore 
was  taken  on  board  the  Endymion,  for  the  purpose  of  act- 
ing the  miserable  farce  of  surrendering^  his  sword  to  tlie 
officer  of  a  frigate  of  equal  size,  but  which  would  have 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  commodore,  but  for  the  ap- 
proach of  the  squadron.  Decatur  indignantly  refused  to 
give  up  his  sword  to  any  one  but  the  commander  of  the 
squadron.  Another  artifice  vvas  actually  resorted  to,  in 
order  to  satisfy  the  good  people  of  England  that  the  Pre- 
sident was  a  seventy-four  in  disguise:  slie  was  lightened 
and  laid  in  dock,  along  side  of  an  old  seventy-four,  di- 
minished to  appearance  by  being  deeply  laden.  Thus  it 
seems,  a  British  frigate  had  captured  an  American  sev*  • 
ty-four.  The  naval  supeiiority  of  Great  Britain  was  the  e- 
fore  no  longer  doubted. 

Not  the  least  amongst  the  exploits  of  our  naval  heroes, 
was  the  capture  of  two  of  the  enemy's  ships  of  war  by  ^he 
Constitution,  captain  Stewart.  Having  sailed  on  a  cruise, 
he  discovered  two  ships,  one  of  which  bore  up  r  the 
Constitution,  but  soon  after  changed  her  course,  to  join 
her  consort.  The  Constitution  gave  chase  to  both,  and 
at  six  P.  M.  ranged  ahead  of  the  sternmost,  brought  her 
on  the  quarter,  her  consort  on  the  bow,  and  opened  a 
broadside,  which  vvas  immediately  returned.  An  ex- 
change of  broadsides  continued  until  both  ships  were  en- 
veloped in  smoke;  upon  the  clearing;  away  of  which,  the 
Constitution  finding  herself  abreast  of  tlie  headmost  ship, 
captain  Stewart  ordered  both  sides  to  be  manned,  backed 
topsails,  and  dropped  into  his  first  position.  The  shi|)  on 
the  bow  backed  sails  also.  The  Constitution's  broad- 
sides were  then  fired  from  the  larboard  battery,  and  in  a 
few  moments  the  ship  on  the  bow,  perceiving  her  errour 
in  getting  sternboard,  filled  away  with  the  intention  of 
tacking  athwart  the  bows  of  the  Constitution,  while  the 
other  fell  olF  entirely  unmanageable.  The  Constitu- 
tion then  filled  av/ay  in  pursuit  of  the  former,  and  com- 
ing within  a  hundred  yards,  gave  her  several  raking 
broadsides,  and  so  crippled  her  that  no  further  appre- 
hensions were  entertained  of  her  being  able  to  escape; 
the  captain  therefore  returned  to  the  first,  v  hich  iinme- 


'•r  i 


», 


^\ 


fMm* 

All  ff, '; 


•um^ 


III 


ftim 


258 


HISTORY  OF  THE  AVAlt. 


(liately  struck.  Possession  was  then  taken  of  her  by  lieu- 
tenant Hoft man,  and  proved  to  be  the  frigate  Cyane,  cap- 
tain Gordon  Falcon,  of  thirty-four  guns.  Captain  Stew- 
art then  steered  in  pursuit  of  the  other  vessel,  and  after 
a  short  resistance,  in  which  she  suiTered  considerably, 
she  struck,  with  five  feet  water  in  her  hold.  She  proved 
to  be  the  sloop  of  Mar  Levant,  of  eighteen  thiity-two 
pound  carronadcs.  The  loss  on  board  the  two  shins 
a»;jountcd  to  about  eighty  in  killed  and  wounded,  on 
board  the  Constitution  there  were  four  killed  and  eleven 
wounded;  but  the  ship  received  a  very  trifling  injury. 
On  the  tentli  of  March,  captain  Stewart  entered  the  har- 
bour of  port  Praya,  with  his  prizes,  and  on  the  eleventh 
a  British  squadron  of  two  sixty  gun  sliips  and  a  fngate, 
appeared  oft' the  entrance  of  the  harbour;  captain  Stew- 
art, liaving  no  faith  in  his  security,  in  this  neutral  port, 
made  sail  with  his  prize  the  Cyane,  and  though  closely 
pursued,  had  the  good  fortune  to  escape  into  tne  United 
States.  The  Levant  was  recaptured  in  the  Portuguese 
port,  in  contempt  of  the  neutral  state.  These  are  acts  of 
injustice,  in  which  no  nation  can  ever  prosper. 

The  Peacock,  Hornet,  and  Tom  Bowline,  left  New- 
York  a  few  days  after  the  President,  without  having  re- 
ceived informaUon  of  her  capture.  On  the  twenty-tnird 
of  January,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifteen,  the 
Hornet  parted  company,  and  directed  her  course  to  Tris- 
tan d'Acuna,  the  place  of  rendezvous.  On  the  twenty- 
third  of  March,  she  descried  the  British  brig  Penguin, 
captain  Dickenson,  of  eighteen  guns,  and  a  twelve-pound 
carronade,  to  the  southward  and  eastward  of  the  island. 
Captain  Biddle  hove  to,  while  the  Penguin  bore  down; 
at  forty  minutes  past  one,  the  British  vessel  commenced 
the  engagement.  Tlie  firing  was  hotly  kept  up  for  fifteen 
minutes,  the  Penguin  gradually  nearing  the  Hornet  with 
the  intention  to  board,  her  captain  having  given  orders 
for  tliis  purpose,  but  was  killed  by  a  grape  shot:  her  lieu- 
tenant tnen  bore  her  up,  and  running  her  bowsprit  be- 
tween the  main  and  mizzen  rigging  of  the  Hornet,  gave 
orders  to  board;  his  men,  however,  perceiving  the  crew 
of  the  Hornet  ready  to  receive  them,  refused  to  follow 
him.    At  this  moment  the  hefivy  swell  of  the  sea  lifted 


HISTORY  OF  THE  \VAR. 


Cd9 


lips 


the  Hornet  ahead,  and  the  enemy's  bowsprit  carried 
away  her  inizzen  ahrouds  and  spanker  boom,  and  the 
Peno;uin  hung  upon  the  Hornet's  quarter,  with  the  loss 
other  foremast  and  bowsprit.  Her  conimnnd  .  then 
called  out  that  he  had  surrendeie<l,  and  captain  JJiddle 
ordered  his  men  to  cease  iiiinj;.  At  this  moment  an  offi- 
cer of  the  Hornet  called  to  captain  Uiddle,  that  a  man 
was  takinjj;  aim  at  him  in  the  enemy's  shrouds;  he  had 
scarcely  changed  his  position;  when  a  musket  ball  struck 
him  in  the  neck,  and  wounded  him  severely.  Two  ma- 
rines immediately  levelled  their  pieces  at  the  wretch, 
and  killed  him  uefore  he  brought  his  gun  from  his  shoul- 
der. The  Penguin  had  by  that  time  got  clear  of  the 
Hornet,  and  the  latter  wore  round  to  give  the  enemy  a 
fresh  broadside,  when  they  cried  out  a  second  time  that 
they  had  surrendered.  Ir,  was  with  great  difficulty  that 
captain  Biddle  could  restrain  his  crew,  who  were  exas- 
perated at  the  conduct  of  the  enemy.  In  twenty-two 
minutes  after  the  commencement  of  the  action,  she  was 
taken  possession  of  by  lieutenant  Mayo,  of  the  Hornet. 
The  Penguin  was  so  much  injured,  that  captain  Biddle 
determined  on  taking  out  her  crew,  and  scuttling  her; 
and  afterwards  sent  oft'  his  prisoners  by  the  Tom  Bow- 
line, which  by  this  time  had  joined  him  with  the  Peacock. 
The  enemy  lost  fourteen  in  killed  and  twenty-eight 
wounded;  the  Hornet  one  killed  and  eleven  wounded; 
among  the  latter,  her  lieutenant,  Conner,  dangerously. 

Captain  Biddle,  being  compelled  to  part  from  the  Pea- 
cock, by  the  appearance  of  a  British  ship  of  the  line,  af- 
ter being  closely  chased  for  several  days,  effected  his  es- 
cape into  St.  Salvador,  where  the  news  of  peace  soon 
after  arrived.  The  capture  of  the  Cyane,  the  Levant, 
anJ  the  Penguin,  took  place  before  the  expiration  of  the 
time  limited  by  the  second  article  of  the  treaty  of  peace. 

The  exploits  of  the  privateers  continued  to  rival  those 
of  our  national  vessels.  In  one  instance  the  enemy  was 
compelled  to  pay  dearly  for  his  disregard  of  the  sanctua- 
ry of  a  neutral  port.  The  privateer  Armstrong  lay  at  an- 
chor in  the  harbour  of  Fayal,  when  a  British  squadron, 
consisting  of  the  Carnation,  the  Plantagenet,  and  the 
Rota,  hove  in  sight.    Captain  Heid«  of  the  privateer,  dis- 


I'  >.?i 


> '  I  i . 


.'.•■1'  ''ll§ 


% 

'A 


9teo 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


coverinwby  flic  liy^lii  of  fho  iikhui  that  llin  enemy  had  put 
out  his  barj^es,  and  was  prepari'f^  to  attack  liim,  cleared 
for  action,  and  moved  near  the  shore.  Four  boats  filled 
with  men  approached,  and  makina;  no  answer  on  being 
hailed,  a  fire  was  opene<l  upon  them,  wliich  was  returncjf, 
but  they  soon  called  out  for  cjuarfers,  and  were  permit- 
ted to  haul  oft".  They  then  prepared  for  a  more  formi- 
dable attack;  the  privateer  was  now  anchored  within  a 
cable's  length  of  the  simre,  and  within  pistol  shot  of  the 
castle.  The  next  day  they  sent  a  fleet  of  boats,  sup- 
ported by  the  Carnation,  which  stood  before  the  har- 
bour, to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  privateer.  At  mid- 
night the  boats  approacheu  a  second  time,  to  the  number 
of  twelve  or  fourteen,  manned  with  several  hundred  men. 
They  were  suffered  to  approach  along  side  of  the  priva- 
teer, and  without  waiting  an  attack;  they  were  assailed 
with  such  astonishing  fury,  that  in  forty  minutes  scarcely 
a  man  of  them  was  left  alive.  During  these  attacks  the 
shores  were  lined  with  the  inhabitants,  who  from  the 
brightness  of  the  moon,  had  a  full  view  of  the  scene. 
The  governour,  with  the  first  people  of  the  place,  stood 
by  and  saw  the  whole  at!air.  After  the  second  attack, 
the  governour  sent  a  note  to  the  commander  of  the  Plan- 
tagenet,  captain  Lloyd,  requesting  him  to  desist,  but  was 
finswered  tnat  he  was  determined  to  have  the  privateer  at 
the  risk  of  knocking  down  the  town.  The  American  con- 
sul having  communicated  this  information  to  captain  Reid, 
he  ordered  his  crew  to  save  their  effects  as  fast  as  possi- 
b!e;  and  to  carry  the  dead  and  wounded  on  shore.  At 
day-light  the  Carnation  stood  close  to  the  Armstrong,  and 
commenced  a  heavy  fire;  but  being  considerably  cut  up 
by  the  privateer,  she  hauled  off  to  repair.  Captain  Reid 
now  thinking  it  useless  to  protract  the  contest,  on  her  re- 
appearance, scuttled  his  vessel  and  escaped  to  shore. 
The  British  loss  amounted  to  the  astonishing  number  ot 
one  hundred  and  twenty  killed,  and  one  hundred  and 
thirty  wounded;  that  of  the  Americans  was  only  two 
killed  and  seven  wounded.  Several  houses  in  the  town 
were  destroyed,  and  some  of  the  inhabitants  wounded. 


MoNtnJ 
—Hal 

AvorkI 


lIlsrORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


v^»; 


bi 


liad  puf 
Iclpart'd 

p  filled 
p  b(»irifr 

permit- 
'ormi- 
^^Ui  a 
(^f  the 

|s,  sup. 

e  linr- 
mid- 

umber 

'  men. 

priva- 

sailed 

rcely 


CIIAPTKR  XVr. 

MoNrmeiits  ill  tlic  army  on  the  Niagara  InmtMfr — ('apturc  of  toil  Ki-ic 
— Hatilc  (»r('liippt'\va— Ucatli  of  };eiicnil  Swift'— Ualtlc  of  Niaj;ara— 
Sicjjf  of  fort  K.rif — AsHault  noon  fort  Krif— Sortii-  unon  tlic^  Hiitish 
>vurkii— AHiui'H  uf  ti>u  wui^— LxpcUitiuu  ajjaiunt  Miuhiliiiiuckiiiuck. 

1^  ROM  reviewing  the  events  of  the  war  on  the  ocean,  we 
return  to  the  war  on  the  northern  frontier.  Not  to  be 
without  a  plan  of  campaign,  although  experience  had  al- 
ready shown  how  little  of  the  cabinet  plans  could  b(;  car- 
ried into  execution,  where  they  depended  upon  so  many 
con.'ingencies,  not  susceptible  of  calculation,  the  follow- 
ing was  adopted.  Colonel  Croghan,  with  the  assistance 
of  commodore  Sinclair,  was  to  proceed  ai^aiiist  the  Bri- 
tish on  the  upper  lakes,  with  a  view  of  recorering  the 
American  posts  of  Michilimackinack  and  St.  Joseph.  The 
American  army,  under  general  Brown,  was  to  cross  the 
Niagara  and  take  possession  of  Burlington  heights;  and 
afterwards,  in  conjunction  with  commodore  Chauncey, 
proceed  to  attack  the  British  posts  on  the  Peninsula. 
General  Izard,  commanding  the  northern  army,  was  to 
push  a  number  of  armed  boats  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  so 
as  to  command  the  Rapids,  and  cut  oil'  the  communication 
between  Montreal  ana  Kingston.  A  strong  post,  garri- 
soned with  fifteen  hundred  men,  would  also  co-operate 
in  this  object.  Batteries  were  also  to  be  thrown  up  for 
the  purpose  of  protecting  the  American  fleet  on  lake 
Champluin,  and  to  prevent  that  of  the  British  from  enter- 
ing it.  Some  of  these  arrangements  had  been  antici- 
pated; but  the  greater  part  was  controlled  by  unforeseen 
circumstances. 

The  spring  passed  away  before  o;eneral  Brown  was  in 
a  condition  to  attempt  any  thing  against  the  British  posts 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river;  even  fort  Niagara  still 
remained  in  their  hands.  He  had,  however,  been  assidu- 
ously occupied,  with  his  gallant  officers,  general  Scott 
and  general  Ripley,  in  disciplining  his  troops,  and  in  col- 
lecting his  force.  By  the  beginning  of  Julj,  this  consist- 
ed of  two  brigades  of  regulars,  and  a  brigade  of  New- 


.V  ■■ 


^iW:fi2 


26'^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


York  volunteers,  under  generals  Porter  and  Swift,  toj^e- 
tlier  with  a  few  Indians.  In  the  meantime  the  force  of 
the  enemy,  under  |>;eneral  Drummond,  had  heen  greatly 
increased,  by  the  addition  of  a  number  of  veteran  regi- 
ments, which  since  the  pacification  of  Europe,  Great 
Britain  had  been  er^bled  to  send  to  this  country. 

The  first  sti  p  i.o  be  taken,  with  a  view  to  any  future 
operations  against  Cinada,  and  to  recover  tlie  posse  ssion 
of  Niagara,  it  was  thought  should  be  against  fort  Erie; 
for  being  once  punscssed  of  this  post,  it  was  supposed  tlic 
enemy  would  evacuate  the  American  side,  and  it  was  ex- 
pected llat  thii  garrison  would  be  carried  with  more  ease 
than  the  ottrei',  from  the  circumstance  of  an  attack  l)eing 
less  expected.  Fort  Erie  was  at  that  time  commar«led 
by  captain  Buck,  with  about  one  hundred  and  seventy 
men.  The  two  brigades  of  regulars  embarked  on  the 
morning  of  the  third  of  July;  general  Scott  with  the  first, 
and  a  detachment  of  artillery  under  major  Ilindman, 
crossed  to  the  Canuda  shore,  below  fort  Erie;  and  gene- 
ral Ripley,  with  the  second  brigade,  above.  The  garrison 
was  completely  taken  by  sur])rise,  and  surrounded  before 
the  movements  of  the  assailants  were  discovered,  and  was 
compellei'  to  surrender  after  firing  a  fev/  shot. 

It  was  next  resolved  to  proceed  im.mediately  and  at- 
tack major-general  Riall,  who  at  that  time  occupied  an 
intrenched  camp  at  Chippewa;  having  first  made  ar- 
rangements for  the  defence  of  the  fort,  which  was  intrust- 
ed to  lieutenant  M'Donough,  and  for  securing  the  rear  of 
the  army. 

On  the  morning  of  the  fourth,  general  Scott  advanced 
i-vith  his  brigade,  and  captain  Towson's  artillery,  and  was 
followed  in  the  course  of  the  day  by  general  Ripley,  and 
the  field  artillery  under  major  Hindman,  together  with 
general  Porter's  volunteers.  The  army  was  then  diawn 
up  in  a  regular  order  to  receive  the  enemy,  on  the  right  of 
Street's  creek,  within  two  miles  of  the  camp.  The  first 
brigade  had  encountered  the  advance  corps,  which  re- 
treated, but  not  until  after  destroying  the  bridge.  Cap- 
tain Crocker  had  crossed  the  stream  some  distance  above, 
and,  not  conscious  of  his  situation,  was  in  pursuit  of  the 
British,  who  now  tui-ned  upon  and  surrounded  him;  but 


I 


appearc^ 

light  ti 

purpost 

volunt( 

retire; 

sudder 

The  V 

greatb 

Brown 

son's  a 

tion  01 

media 

Ma; 

the  th 

of  the 

warm 

tatcli 

in  ch( 

the  r( 

conte 

ace  or 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


'263 


r.  H^ 


iei;i- 


( 


he  (lefeiuleil  himself  in  so  gallant  a  manner,  that  he  was 
enabled  to  keep  off'  the  enemy,  until  captains  Hull  and 
Harrison,  and  lieutenant  Randolph,  came  to  his  relief. 
.  The  army  remained  in  this  position  until  the  next  day, 
when  early  in  the  morning,  Ihe  British  commenced  an 
attack  upon  the  picket  guards.  A  company,  commanded 
by  captain  Treat,  was  suddenly  fired  upon  by  a  party 
concealed  in  the  high  grass;  one  man  fell,  and  the  van- 
guard broke  and  retreated.  The  exertions  of  the  captain 
to  rally  his  men  was  mistaken  for  an  act  of  cowardice, 
and  he  was  stripped  of  his  command.  Being  resolved  to 
do  away  the  imputation,  he  requested  to  engage  in  the 
approacning  battle  as  a  private,  and  was  accordingly  di- 
rected to  lead  a  platoon.  He  was  afterwards  tried  and 
honourably  acquitted.  The  necessity  of  strict  discipline, 
at  such  a  moment,  cannot  be  disputed.  These  assaults 
continued  throughout  tlie  greater  part  of  the  day.  Gene- 
ral Rial  I,  perceiving  that  an  engagement  was  unavoida- 
ble, resolved  to  strike  the  first  blow;  he  therefore  issued 
from  his  encampment,  with  his  whole  force,  and  soon 
appeared  on  the  left  bank  of  Street's  creek;  sending  his 
light  troops  to  the  left  of  the  American  camp,  for  the 
purpose  of  turning  their  Hank;  this  was  frustrated  by  the 
volunteers,  who  after  a  sharp  conflict  compelled  them  to 
retire;  but  in  pursuing  on  the  Chippewa  road,  they  came 
suddenly  in  contact  with  the  main  body  of  the  British. 
The  volunteers  were  now  severely  pressed  by  troops 
greatly  superiour  in  numbers  and  discipline.  General 
Brown  perceiving  this,  ordered  Scott's  brigade  and  Tow- 
son's  artillery  to  advance,  and  draw  the  enemy  into  ac- 
tion on  the  plains  of  Chippewa.  This  was  effected  im- 
mediately on  crossing  the  bridge. 

Major  Jessup,  a  gallant  young  officer,  who  commanded 
the  third  battalion,  was  ordered  to  turn  the  right  flank 
of  the  British,  which  rested  on  a  wood  to  the  left;  whilst 
warmly  engaged  in  this  service,  he  was  compelled  to  de- 
tatch  captain  Ketchiim,  to  keep  a  superiour  detachment 
in  check;  the  major,  having  cleared  liis  front,  moved  to 
the  relief  of  his  captain,  who  had  maintained  an  unecpial 
contest  against  superior  numbers.  His  object  was  not 
accomplished  here  until  after  a  severe  struggle;  being  at 


-.■1 


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}♦  *4  H 


2G4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


length  closely  pressed  in  front  and  in  flank,  he  delibe- 
rately gave  orders  to  his  men  to  support  arms  and  ad- 
vance, under  a  dreadful  fire,  until  he  gained  a  position 
of  more  security,  whence  he  compelled  the  enemy  to  re- 
tire. The  admirable  coolness  and  intrepidity  in  his 
corps,  was  worthy  of  veterans,  and  proved  the  great  pro- 
gress the  Americans  had  made  in  discipline.  The  Bri- 
tish right  flank  soon  after  began  to  fall  back,  while  the 
Americans  pressed  them  closely.  The  battalion  on  the 
American  right,  under  major  Leavenworth,  was  not  only 
engaged  with  the  British  infantry  but  often  exposed  to 
tlie  fire  of  their  batteries.  One  of  his  officers,  captain 
Harrison,  had  his  leg  shot  off  by  a  cannon  ball;  but  he 
considered  the  contest  so  doubtful,  that  he  would  not 
sul!*er  himself  to  be  taken  from  the  spot,  and  continued 
to  perform  his  duty  with  astonishing  fortitude  until  the 
action  ceased.  After  tlie  lapse  of  an  hour  from  the  time 
tlie  action  became  general,  captain  Towson  having  com- 
pletely silenced  the  enemy's  most  powerful  battery,  now 
turned  upon  the  infantry,  then  much  exposed  to  an 
oblique  discharge  of  major  M'Neill's  musketry;  the  ene- 
my was  at  this  moment  advancing  to  charge,  but  the  con- 
centrated fire  which  poured  upon  them,  and  the  appa- 
rent issue  on  their  right  flank  with  major  Jessup,  com- 
pelled general  Riall  to  retire,  until  he  reached  the  slop- 
ing ground  which  led  to  Chippewa,  when  the  British  fled 
in  confusion  to  their  entrenchments. — Major  Hindman 
and  captain  Towson  pursued  the  enemy  under  the  fire 
of  his  batteries,  but  which,  on  examination,  were  found 
too  strong  to  be  assailed. 

This  may  be  considered  tlie  first  regular  pitched  bat- 
tle, and  furnished  a  convincing  proof,  that  nothing  but 
discipline  was  wanting  to  give  to  our  soldiers  on  land, 
the  same  excellence  wnich  our  seamen  had  discovered 
on  the  ocean.  The  battle  was  fought  with  great  judg- 
ment and  coolness  on  both  sides,  and  its  result,  consider- 
ing the  numbers  engaged,  was  exceedingly  sanguinary. 
The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  killed,  wounded  and  mis- 
sing, amounted  to  three  hundred  and  thirty-eight.  Among 
the  wounded  were  colonel  Campbell,  captains  King,  of  the 
twenty-third,  Read,  of  tlie  twenty-fifth,  Harrison,  of  the 


I';  ,,"lf 
'1  S*f 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


20j 


turty-second;  lieutenants  Palmer  and  Brimliall,  of  the 
ninti),  Harion,  of  the  eleventh,  and  De  Wit  and  Patcliim, 
ol  the  tweiity-lifth.  Tiio  total  loss  of  the  British,  accord- 
in;^  to  tije  report  of  general  Druinmond,  was  live  hun- 
dred and  five,  of  whom  forty-six  were  niissinii;,  the  re- 
mainder eitlier  killed  or  wounded.  Their  loss  in  oflicers 
was  seven  captains  and  seventeen  subalterns;  the  n)ar- 
qiiis  of  Tweedale,  colonels  Gordon  and  Dickson,  and 
captain  Holland,  aid  of  general  Riall.  Few  occurrences 
since  the  war  afforded  a  more  lively  gratification  to  the. 
people.  The  most  honourable  testimonials  were  bestow- 
ed upon  the  principal  officers  concerned;  and  the  brevet 
rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  was  conferred  upon  majors 
Jessup,  Leavenworth,  and  M'Neill:  and  of  major  on  cap- 
tains Towson,  Crooker  and  Harrison.  Several  other 
oflicers  we?e  named  as  having  distinguished  themselves: 
major  Wood  of  the  engineers,  captain  flarris,  and  lieu- 
tenant McDonald,  acquitted  themselves  with  much  hon- 
our. 

The  defeat  of  Riall  having  been  communicated  to  ge- 
neral Drunimond,  he  sent  a  regiment  to  reinforce  him, 
and  enable  him  to  repel  any  attack  upon  his  works.  Gen- 
eral Brown  still  remained  at  his  encauipmenl,  deter- 
mined to  dislodge  the  Britisli;  as  tlie  most  elll^ctual  mode, 
he  detached  general  Ripley  to  open  a  road  to  the  C!ii;)- 
pewa  river,  at  a  point  thiee  miles  above  the  enemy's 
camp,  and  to  construct  a  bridge  tor  the  purpose  of  at- 
tacking the  enemy  on  his  right  Hank  and  from.  This 
was  executed  witii  so  much  secrecy,  that  the  bridge  was 
nearly  completed  before  it  was  discovered,  when  general 
Riall  oi-dered  his  artillery  to  advance  and  prevent  ;he 
Americans  from  completing  their  works;  but  the  artiiiory 
of  general  Ripley  compelled  the  Britisli  to  letlre.  Gen- 
eral Riall  soon  after  abandoned  his  works,  which  were 
occupied  by  general  Brown  tl>at  evening.  The  enemy 
fell  back  to  Queenstown,  and  afterwards  to  Ten  Miie 
creek. 

The  army  encamped  at  Queenstown,  and  previous  to 
any  further  movement,  general  Swift,  at  his  own  request, 
was  detached  with  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  meii, 
to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  works.     He  surprised  an  out- 


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'"Mim*'^*:: 


2(56 


TIISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


posi,  and  took  pristmers  a  corporal  and  his  au-ird:  one 
c'  tliesc,  alter  having  asked  and  received  quarters,  ukJ. 
denly  raised  his  piece,  and  j^avc  the  i;:!;eneral  a  mortal 
wound.  The  ji^eneral  instantly  killed  the  assassin,  and 
on  the  approach  of  a  party,  brou^^ht  by  the  filing  of  the 
soldier,  he  continued  to  figlit  at  the  head  of  Ins  detacli- 
nient,  regardless  of  his  wound,  until  the  enemy  was  re- 
pulsed. This  gallant  officer  dird  soon  after  he  wasbrou<i,ht 
to  camp,  sincerely  regretfed,  and  was  interred  with  all 
the  honours  the  army  could  bestow.  He  had  been  a  dis- 
tinguished soldier  of  the  revolution. 

T!ie  question  as  to  what  step  wusnext  to  be  taken,  was 
submitted  by  general  Brown  to  a  council  of  war;  whether 
to  follow  up  the  enemy  rapidly,  and  annihilate  his  force, 
01'  first  to  attack  Niagara  and  fort  George.  The  latter 
was  resolved  upon.  Preparatory  to  this,  general  Jiipley 
and  general  Porter  were  ordered  to  reconnoitre  the  ioit; 
rhe  one  along  the  Niagara,  the  other  by  the  way  of  8t. 
David's,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  their  respective 
situations,  and  obtaining  the  information  necessary  for 
ih{^  attack.  This  service  was  successively  perf«fimed, 
aUhougii  much  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  garrison,  and  as- 
sailed by  skirmishing  parties.  The  plan,  howe\  .  .vas 
abandoned,  in  consequence,  as  was  alleged  by  g-  i.eral 
Brown,  of  not  being  able  to  obtain  the  co-operati(ni  of 
Chauncey's  fieet,  the  counnodore  being  at  tliis  time  ex- 
tremely ill;  the  g«^neral,  ther<:iore,  prepared  to  j)uisue 
the  British  army  to  Burlington  heights;  and  with  a  view 
to  this,  on  the  twenty-fourth  he  fell  down  to  the  junction 
of  the  Chippewa  with  the  Niagara. 

Lieutenant-general  Drummond,  mortified  that  his  vete- 
ran troops  should  have  been  beaten,  by  what  he  consider- 
ed raw  Americans,  was  anxious  for  an  o])portunity  of 
retrieving  his  credit.  He  had  collected  every  regiment 
from  Burlington  and  York,  and  the  lake  being  free,  the 
British  cojumodore  was  able  to  transport  tioops  Worn 
Kingston,  fort  George,  and  even  Prescott.  Generul  viall 
took  p»i.  I  at  Queenstown,  immediately  after-  it  was  ahan- 
do'ied  by  the  Americans,  who  -ad  fallen  back  to  Chi-  |»e- 
vva;  general  T)umrT(»n<l  crossed  a  s^ronjj  detaclimen'  to 
riu'enten  tiic  town  of  $chlosser,  which  contained  the  si.i> 


in-chie 

id  in 

vres, 

enemy 

son, 

on  the 

again  s 

on  th( 

eleven 

muniti 

being 

officer 

withdi 

ant- ad 

salves 

them 


illSTORY  OF  TilK  WML 


iior 


(  ■  * 


i 


plies  of  general  Drown,  togetlui' with  Iiis  >i<.h  and  v.ouiul- 
ctl;  tliis  was  done  witli  ihc  expoc  tarlon  of  imliicini.';  <^eiie- 
ral  Brown  to  divide  liis  force;  an  advanced  party  was  at 
tlie  same  time  pushed  forward  on  the  Niagara  road.  Vt'itii 
a  view  of  drawin*j;  oft' the  the  enemy  from  his  a'.tempt  on 
the  village  across  the  river,  general  Scott  was  ordered  to 
move  tiiwards  Queenstovvn,  with  his  brij^ade,  seven  hun- 
dred strong,  with  Towson's  artillery,  tiic  dragoons  and 
the  mounted  men;  with  orders  to  report  if  tlie  enemy 
appeared,  and  call  for  assistance.  At  four  o'clock  the 
brigade  moved  from  the  camp,  and  after  proceeding  about 
two  miles  and  an  half  from  the  Chippewa,  and  within  a 
short  distance  of  the  cataracts  of  Niagara,  the  enemy 
"was  discovered  to  occupy  an  eminence  near  Lundy's- 
lane,  a  position  of  gicat  strength,  selected  by  general 
Rlall,  were  he  had  planted  a  most  formidable  battery  of 
nine  pieces  of  artillery,  two  of  which  were  brass  twenty- 
four  pounders.  On  reaching  a  narrow  strip  of  woods, 
which  intervened  between  them  and  the  British  line, 
captains  Harris  and  Pentland,  whose  companies  formed 
a  part  of  the  advance,  were  first  fired  on,  and  engaged 
the  enemy,  who  retreated  for  the  purpose  of  drawing 
the  American  column  to  the  situation  at  Lundy's-lane. 
General  Scott  resolutely  pressed  forward,  first  despatch- 
ing major  Jones  with  the  intelligence  to  the  coinuiander- 
in-chief.  lie  had  no  sooner  cleared  the  wood,  and  foim- 
t*d  in  line  on  a  plain  finely  adapted  to  military  manceu- 
vres,  than  a  tremendous  cannonade  commenced  from  the 
enemy's  batteries,  which  was  returned  by  captain  Tow- 
son,  but  V  ithout  being  able  to  bring  his  pieces  to  Ijeur 
on  the  eminence.  The  action  was  continued  for  an  iiour, 
against  a  force  three  times  that  of  the  American  brigade, 
on  the  ground  to  the  left  of  Queenstown  road.  The 
eleventh  and  twenty-second  having  expended  their  am- 
munition, colonel  Brady  and  lieutenant-colonel  M'Neill 
being  both  severely  wounded,  iiud  nearly  all  the  other 
oflicers  eillier  killed  or  wounded,  both  rei^iments  were, 
withdrawn  from  action.  Lieutenant  Crawford,  lieuten- 
ant-adjutant Sawyer,  and  a  few  others,  attached  them- 
salves  to  the  ninth,  in  such  stations  as  were  assigned 
them.    This  regiment,  under  its  gallant  leader,  liiuten- 


H"    '. 


M.m 


■>o3 


fllbTOllY  Ui^   THE  WAR. 


;ui<-r<>tom*l  Leavenworth,  was  now  obliged  to  maintain 
/ho  whole  brunt  of  the  action,  when  orders  were  given  to 
advance  and  charge  on  the  hciy;hts,  and,  with  the  other 
regiments,  break  t1ie  enemy's  line.  But  general  Scott, 
on  receiviiig  infonnation  of  tlie  shattered  condition  of  tlie 
elevcnlh  and  twenty-second,  countermanded  his  order. 
Colonel  Jessup,  at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  liad 
l)ecn  detached  with  tlie  twenty-Ufth,  to  attack  the  left  of 
the  enemy's  line. 

The  British  now  pressed  forward  on  the  nint'j,  wliicli 
vvith  wonderful  iirinncss  withstood  the  attack  of  tiieir 
overwhelming  numbers;  but  reduced  at  lengHi  to  nearly 
one  half,  and  being  compelled  at  every  moment  to  repel 
fresh  cliarges  of  the  British,  colonel  licavenworth  des- 
f;atc!ied  a  nie^Jsenger  to  general  Scott,  to  communicate 
ii:>  cundilion.  'J'he  general  rode  up  in  person,  roused 
ihc  flagging  spirits  of  his  brave  men  with  tlie  pleasing  in- 
lelligencc  that  reinforcements  were  expected  every  mo- 
loent,  and  besought  them  to  hold  their  ground.  Lieu- 
tenant Riddle,  already  well  known  as  a  reconnoitring 
olficer,  was  vhe  first  to  come  to  the  assistance  of  his  fel- 
lovv-  soldiev?,  having  been  drawn  to  the  place  by  tl^e 
•^ound  of  the  cannon,  while  out  with  a  scouting  party. 
The  same  cit  cumstances  induced  general  ]5rowii  to  pro^ 
feed  rapidly  to  the  scene  of  action,  giving  orders  to 
2;erieral  Ripley  to  follow  with  the  second  brigade.  On 
his  way  he  was  met  by  major  Jones,  and  from  his  infor- 
•^ation,  he  was  induced  to  order  up  general  Porter,  v^ith 
the  volunteers,  together  witli  the  artillery. 

The  situation  of  the  brigade  became  every  moment 
more  crificnK  They  had  repulsed  every  attack  of  the 
enemy  witii  desperate  courage;  but  tlieir  strength  must 
soon  Fail,  wiien  continually  obliged  to  engage  a  fresh  line. 
For cUnately,  .i?;*:'ncr  d  Riall,  from  the  obstinacy  of  the  re- 
sistance, had  by  fhh  time  over-rated  tlieir  force,  and  had 
despatched  a  messer.^er  to  genei-al  Drummond  foi  rein- 
forcements; his  nunibers  enga';ed  thus  far  having  been 
more  than  double  the  Atncrican.  About  t-u's  time  an 
awful  Vf  UiSe  e.jsaod  between  the  two  armies;  for  a  time 
no  soDid  broke  upon  the  still f»ess  of  the  nii.\;ht,  but  the 
groans  of  the  wounded,  mingling  with  the  distant  din  oj 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAT?. 


2G0 


tho.  cafaiact  of  Niagara.  The  sijattered  re<^imcn(s  wore- 
consoliditted  into  one  brigade,  and  placed  as  a  reserve 
under  colonel  Hra^W,  who,  though  severely  wounded,  re- 
fused to  quit  the  field.  The  sdence  was  once  more  in- 
terrupted by  the  arrival  of  general  Ripley's  brigade,  n.a- 
jor  Uindman's  artillery,  and  general  Porter's  volunteers, 
and  at  the  same  time  of  general  Drummond  with  rein- 
forcements. 

In  the  meantime,  that  accomplished  young  ofticer.  uki- 
jor  Jessup,  who  had  been  ordered  in  the  early  part  of  the 
action,  to  take  post  on  the  right,  had  succeeded,  during 
the  engagement,  after  encountering  great  difficulty,  in 
burning  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy.     At  the  present  Uio- 
ment,  taking  advantage  of  the  darkness  of  the  night  and 
the  incaution  of  the  enemy,  he  threw  his  regiment  in  the 
rear  of  their  reserve,  and  surprising  one  detachment  at^ 
tor  another,  made  prisoners  of  so  many  of  their  oilicers 
and  men,  that  his  progress  was  greatly  impeded.     The 
laws  of  war  would  have  justified  him  in  putting  them  to 
death;  "  but  the  laurel,  in  his  opinion,  was  most  glorious 
when   entwined   by  the  hand  of  mercy;"    he   therefore 
spared  them,  under  circumstances  where  they  certainly 
would  not  have  spared  him.     One  of  his  officers,  captain 
Ketchum,  had  the  good  fortune  to  make  prisoner  of  ge- 
neral Riall,  and  of  the  aid  of  general  Drummond;  the 
latter  a  most  fortunate  circumstance,  as  it  prevented  the 
concentration  of  the  British  force,  contemplated  by  that 
officer,  before  the  Americans  were  prepared  for  his  re- 
ception.    After  disposing  of  his  prisoners,  major  Jessup 
felt  his  way  to  the  place  where  the  hottest  fire  was  kept 
up  on  the  brigade  to  which  he  belonged,  and  drew  up  his 
regiment  behind  a  fence,  on  the  side  of  the  Queenstovv 
road,  but  in  the  rear  of  a  party  of  British  infantry,  drawn 
up  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  same  road;  he  suddenly 
gave  thenj  a  destructive  fire,  on  which  they  bioke  and  fled. 
"The   major,"  says  general  Brown,  "shewed  himself  to 
his  own  army,  in  a  blaze  of  fire."     He  was  ordered  to 
form  on  the  right  of  the  second  brigade. 

General  Ripley's  brigade  had  by  this  time  been  formed 
for  action,  when  ordeis  were  given  for  it  to  advance  to 
the  support  of  general  Scott,  against  whom  a  fire  was  uow 

23* 


.'t  ,':i 


>^  )'^(h 


>   k    I.  : 


i'' 


h"'     ■    " 


•.•■^T'O 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


tlirected  which  he  could  not  lonji;  withstand.  GcniT.;! 
Ripley,  with  the  cjuick  discernment  wliich  characterizes 
tlie  real  commander,  seeini;  that  too  much  time  would 
be  lost  before  he  could  make  his  way  through  the  skiitof 
woods,  in  the  darkness  of  the  nij^ht,  decided  at  once  upon 
his  own  responsibility,  to  adopt  the  only  measure  from 
which  he  saw  a  hope;  and  which  beinj^  made  known  to 
the  commander-in-chief,  he  instantly  satictioned.  The 
enemy's  artillery  occupied  a  hill  which  was  the  key  to 
the  whole  position,  and  it  would  be  in  vain  to  hope  for 
victory  wlule  they  were  permitted  to  retajn  it.  Address- 
ing himself  to  colonel  Miller,  he  inquired  whether  he 
could  storm  the  batteries  at  the  head  of  the  twenty-first, 
while  he  would  himself  support  him  with  the  younger  re- 
giment, the  twenty-third.  To  this  the  wary,  but  intrepid 
veteran  replied,  in  an  unaftected  phrase,  I  wii,l  try  sir; 
Avords,  which  were  afterwards  given  as  the  motto  of  his 
regiment.  The  twenty-third  was  formed  in  close  co- 
lumn, under  its  commander,  major  M'Farland,  and  the 
fnst  regiment,  under  colonel  Nicholas,  was  left  to  keep 
•the  infantry  in  check.  The  two  regiments  moved  on  to 
one  of  the  most  perilous  charges  ever  attempted;  the 
whole  of  the  artillery  opened  upon  them  as  they  advanc- 
ed, supported  by  a  powerful  line  of  infantry.  The 
twenty-first  advanced  steadily  to  its  purpose;  the  twen- 
ty-third faultereil  on  receiving  the  deadly  fire  of  the  ene- 
my; but  was  soon  rallied  by  tlie  personal  exertions  of  ge*- 
neral  Ripley.  When  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  sum- 
mit, they  received  another  dreadful  discharjie,  by  which 
major  M*Farland  was  killed,  and  the  command  devolved 
on  major  Brooks.  To  the  amazement  of  the  British,  the 
intrepid  Miller  firmly  advanced,  until  within  a  few  paces 
of  their  line,  when  he  impetuously  charged  upon  the  ar- 
tillery, which,  after  a  snort  but  desperate  resistance, 
yielded  their  whole  battery,  and  the  American  line  was 
in  a  moment  formed  in  the  rear,  upon  the  ground  previ- 
ously occupied  by  tlie  British  infantry.  In  carrying  tl  e 
larger  pieces,  the  twenty-first  suffered  severely;  lieute- 
nant Cilley,  after  an  unexampled  eft'ort,  fell  wounded  by 
ihe  side  of  the  piece  which  he  took:  few  of  the  officers 
of  thi^  reaiinent  were  not  either  killed  or'  wc»ufld(il.     By 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAll. 


<57 


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the  united  effcrts  of  tlie  two  lo^lincnts  tho  Hiitish  in- 
t'anti'V  w'Xi  iu  a  short  time  driven  down  the  onnricnce, 
out  of  the  reach  of  musketry,  while  tlieirown  cannon  was 
liirncd  upon  tliein.  This  admirable  ellbrt  comjiletely 
clian^ed  tlie  nature  of  tlie  battle;  every  movement  wa** 
now  ilirected  to  this  point,  as  upon  the  al)ility  to  maintain 
the  hci};ht,  tlie  result  entirely  depended.  While  con- 
tcndinj;  for  the  hei,u;!»ts,  the  capture  of  j^eneral  Iliall 
had  been  announced  by  loud  huzzas,  on  the  part  of  the 
American  troops  below,  wliich  broii<»;ht  a  shell  amoni^  ma- 
jor Ilindman's  corps,  exphtded  a  caison,  and  unfortunate- 
ly killed  the  brave  captain  Ritchie.  Major  Hindman  was 
ordered  to  brinr^  up  his  corps,  to  post  himself  with  his 
own  and  the  captured  cannon,  to  the  rijijjht  of  Ripley's 
hrii^ade,  and  between  it  and  the  twenty-fifth,  while  the 
volunteers  of  general  Porter  were  drawn  up  on  the  right. 
The  British  commander,  stung  with  rage  and  mortifi- 
cation at  this  unexampled  exploit  of  the  Americans,  now 
considered  it  absolutely  essential  to  the  credit  of  the  Bri- 
tish army,  and  to  avoid  insupportable  disgrace,  that  ho 
shoidd  make  a  desperate  effort.  Having  been  greatly  re- 
inforced, and  placing  his  troops  in  the  best  p5ssible  order 
for  the  execution  of  his  purpose,  he  now  advanced  upon 
Ripley,  with  a  heavy  and  extended  line,  out-flanking  him 
in  both  extremes.  The  Americans  stood  silently  await- 
ing his  approach,  having  received  orders  from  the  gene- 
ral to  reserve  their  fire,  until  it  could  be  rendered  effec- 
tive and  deadly.  The  whole  division  of  the  British  now 
advanced  with  a  brisk  step,  until  within  twenty  paces  of 
the  summit,  when  it  poured  in  a  rapid  fire,  and  prepared 
to  rush  forv/ard  with  the  bayonet;  the  American  line,  be- 
ing directed  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  returned  it  with 
deadly  effect;  they  were  tin-own  into  confusicm,  but  be- 
ing again  rallied,  furiously  returned  to  the  attack,  and  a 
most  tremendous  conflict  ensued.  For  twenty  minutes 
the  action  continued  with  violence  indescribable.  Tlie 
British  line  was  at  last  compelled  to  yield,  and  to  retire 
down  the  hili.  General  Porter's  volunteers  emidated 
the  conduct  of  the  regulars.  Tlie  gallant  maji)r  Wood, 
of  the  Pennsylvania  corps,  and  colonel  Dobbin,  of  the 
Ne^T-York,  gave  examples  of  unshaken  intrepidity.     Tt 


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HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAIi. 


was  not  suppostMl,  howoviT,  that  this  would  be  the  last  ef- 
fort of  the  liritish  jteneral;  the  line  was  instantly  restor- 
ed, and  the  wounded  transported  to  the  rear.  Gencr.il 
Scott's  brigade,  durlnj^  this  period,  had  been  held  in  re- 
serve under  colonel  l^eavenworth,  colonel  Brady  having 
been  compelled  by  the  severity  of  his  wound,  to  resi<;ri 
the  command;  the  general's  brii^ade-major,  lieutenant 
Smith,  and  his  aid,  captain  Worth,  were  both  compelled 
to  retire  in  consctjuence  of  their  wounds;  this  i)ri<;a(le 
was  now  ordered  to  move  to  Lundy's-lane,  with  its  rij^iit 
On  the  Niaj^ara  road. 

After  the  lapse  of  half  an  hour,  o;eneral  Drummond 
was  aii;ain  discovered  ad\ancing  to  th.e  assatdtwith  reno- 
vated vigour.  The  precaution  at  lirst  adopted  by  gene- 
ral Ripley,  was  again  observed;  the  fire  oi  <he  Americans 
was  dreadful,  ancl  tiie  arlillery  of  major  Ilindman,  serv- 
ed with  great  skill,  would  have  taken  away  all  heart  on 
the  part  of  the  Biitisii  foi-  tliis  perilous  enterprise,  had 
not  the  examj)le  been  set  them  by  the  Americans.  'J'he 
.British  i^eneral  havinii;  rallied  his  troops,  threw  liimself 
with  his  whole  wei<2,ht  uj.on  the  American  centre;  he  was 
firmly  received  by  the  j^allant  twenty-first,  a  few  pla- 
toons only  faulterini!:,  but  which  were  soon  restored  bv 
general  Ripley.  Findinji;  that  no  im)M*ession  could  be 
made,  the  whole  British  line  aj;ain  recoilc(',and  fell  back 
to  the  bottom  of  the  hill.  During  the  last  contest,  two 
Igallant  charges  were  led  by  cenei'al  Scott  in  person, 
upon  the  enemy's  left  and  right  flanks,  witli  his  consoli- 
dated battalion;  but  having  to  o],pose  double  lines  of 
infanti'y,  his  attempts,  which  would  have  been  decisive 
had  they  proved  successful,  were  unavailing;  they  pio- 
bably  contributed,  however, in  shaking  the  British  line. 
The  general  himself,  b(Mng  severely  wounded  in  these 
charges,  althoutrh  he  had  l.'ilherto  r-emained  unhurt  dur- 
ing  this  perilous  combfit,  v/as  compelled  to  (|uit  the  field, 
after  uniting  the  battalion  with  the  twenty-fifth, and  plac- 
ing them  under  colonel  Leavenworth. 

Disheartened  by  these  repeated  defeats,  the  British 
were  on  the  point  of  yielding  the  content,  when  they  re- 
ceived fiesh  I'einforcenients  from  foi't  Niagara,  which 
revived  their  spirits,  and  induced  them  to  make  anotlier 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAll. 


^4    *J 


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HTul  ntill  more  desperate  struggle.  After  takinj^  an  hour 
to  refiv^li  tliemsi'lves,  iun\  recovorinj;  from  their  fatigue, 
they  advamed  with  a  new  and  nune  extendt'd  line,  and 
with  confident  iio})es  of  beinii;  ahlc  to  overjmwer  the 
Americans,  who  thus  far  had  l)een  denied  both  jtfiesh- 
uient  and  repose.  Our  count rynven  had  stood  to  their 
arms  during;  all  this  time,  their  canteens  exhausted,  and 
niaiiy  almost  faintiiij;  with  thirst;  and  from  the  Uuiu:  in- 
terval, they  had  I)e2;an  to  cherisii  hopes  tliat  tlie  enemy 
had  yielded.  In  this  they  were  dihapjjoiiited;  but  on 
•liscoverin^-  the  approach  ot  the  l'*riti^h,  their  courayeous 
spirit  returned,  and  they  resolved  never  to  yield  the 
glorious  trophies  of  their  victory,  until  they  could  con- 
tend no  longer.  The  British  delivered  their  liie  at  the 
Siime  distance  as  on  the  last  onset,  which  was  returned 
by  the  Atnericans  with  the  fcume  deadly  ellect;  but  they 
(lid  not  fall  back  with  the  same  precipitation,  a  fresli 
line  supplied  the  place  of  the  first,  and  the  whole  sfeadily 
advanced.  A  conflict,  dreadful  beyond  description,  en- 
sued; the  twenty-first,  under  its  brave  leader,  firndy 
w'itlistood  the  shock.  The  right  and  left  re])eatedly  fell 
back,  but  were  again  rallied  by  the  general,  by  colonels 
Miller,  Nicholas,  and  Jessup.  At  length  the  two  lines 
dosed  with  each  other  on  the  very  summit  of  the  hill, 
v^ Inch  they  contested  with  terrifick  violence  at  tiie  point 
of  the  bayonet.  Such  was  fhe  obstinacy  of  the  contest, 
that  many  battalions,  on  both  sides,  were  forced  back, 
and  t!ie  contending  parties  became  mingled  with  each 
othc.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  desperation  of  the 
conliict  at  the  point  where  tlie  cannon  was  stationed. 
The  enemy  having  forced  himself  into  the  very  midst  of 
nip.jor  Hiiidman's  artillery,  this  officer  was  compelled  to 
spike  two  ot  his  pieces,  and  was  warmly  engaged  across 
the  carriages  and  guns.  General  Ripley  now  pressing 
upon  the  enemy's  ilanks,  compelled  them  to  give  way, 
find  the  centre  soon  following  the  example,  the  whole 
British  line  iled  a  third  time,  and  no  exertions  of  their 
oflTiceis  could  restrain  them,  until  they  placed  themselves 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  musketry  and  artillery.  The 
British  being  now  completely  beaten,  retired  beyond  the 
borders  of  the  field,  leaviog  their  dead  and  wounded. 


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HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


i 


General  Brown  had  received  two  severe  wounds  at 
tlie  comnjencemeiit  of  the  last  char<»;e,  and  was  compel- 
led to  follow  j^eneral  Scott,  leavin*;^  the  command  to  Hip- 
ley.  This  ofhcer  had  made  repeated  efforts  to  obtain 
the  means  of  removing  the  captured  artillery,  but  the 
horses  having  been  killed,  and  no  drag-ropes  to  be  pro- 
cured, it  was  delaved  until  after  the  last  contest,  wlien 
orders  were  received  from  general  Urown,  to  collect  the 
wounded  and  return  to  camp.  I'he  Biilish  cannon  were 
therefore  spiked,  and  the  smaller  pieces  rolled  down  the 
hill  by  major  Hindman,  who  returned  in  good  order  witii 
his  corps;  the  whole  reaching  camp  about  midnight.  It 
is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  these  trophies  of  victory 
could  not  have  been  secured,  as  the  circumstance  gave 
occasion  to  the  British,  surprising  as  it  may  seem,  to 
claim  the  victory.  To  high  praise  they  certainly  were 
entitled,  but  to  claim  the  merit  of  "a  comj)lete  defeat 
of  the  Americans,"  was  outiaging  trutli;  and  to  be  com- 
plimented for  this,  ought  to  infuse  the  blush  of  shame 
into  the  cheek  of  an  honourable  soldier.  The  British 
force  engaged  was  little  short  of  five  thousand  men,  in- 
cluding fifteen  hundred  militia  and  Indians:  nearly  a 
third  greater  than  that  of  the  Americans.  The  loss  on 
either  side  was  proportioned  to  the  nature  of  this  dread- 
ful i-nd  sanguinary  battle;  its  aggregate  amounted  to 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty-nine;  and  the 
killed  and  wounded  alone  to  one  thousand  three  hundred 
and  eighty-four.  On  the  side  of  the  British,  one  assis- 
tant adjutant-geiitral,  one  captain,  three  subalterns,  and 
seventy-nine  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates, 
were  killed;  lieutenant-general  Drummond,  major-gene- 
ral Riall,  and  three  lieutenant-colonels,  two  majors,  eight 
captains,  twenty-two  subalterns,  and  five  hundred  non- 
commissioned officers  and  privates,  were  wounded:  the 
prisoners  and  missing,  one  aid-de-camp,  (captain  Loring) 
five  captains,  nine  subalterns,  and  two  hundred  and 
twenty  non-commissioned  oflicers  and  privates;  making 
in  all  eight  hundred  and  seventy-eight  men. 

In  the  records  of  the  most  bloody  conflicts,  we  seldom 
meet  with  so  great  a  number  of  officers  killed  and  wound- 
ed.   The  American  loss  was  one  major,  five  captains,  five 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


S175 


:^: 


ftubalternfl,  and  one  hundred  and  fiftj-nine  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  privates,  killed;  major-general  Brown, 
brij^adier-a;enerals  Scott  and  Porter,  two  aids-de-camp, 
one  brigade-major,  one  colonel,  four  lieutenant  colonels, 
one  major,  seven  captains,  thirty-seven  subalterns,  atid 
five  hundred  and  fifteen  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates,  wounded;  and  one  brij^ade-major,  one  captain, 
six  subalterns,  and  one  hundred  and  two  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  privates,  missing;  making  a  grand  to- 
tal of  eight  hundred  and  fifty-one,  and  a  difference  of 
twenty-seven  only,  between  the  contending  parties. 

On  arriving  at  the  ramp,  the  commander-in-cliief  order- 
^d  general  Ripley  to  refresh  the  troops,  and  proceed  to 
the  ground  in  the  morning,  and  to  engage  the  enemy,  if 
circumstances  permitted.  On  examining  his  troops,  ge- 
neral Ripley  found  he  had  but  fifteen  hundred  men  fit 
for  duty;  and  reconnoitring  the  enemy,  he  found  them 
drawn  up  in  their  first  position,  presentin;r  a  foimidable 
appearance;  it  therefore  would  have  been  madness,  with 
his  men  in  their  present  state,  to  have  renewed  tjie  com- 
bat; he  therefore  properly  declined  it.  His  conduct  was 
hastily  censured  by  general  Brown,  in  his  despatches  to 
the  government;  and  general  Ripley,  unlbrtunately,  had 
for  a  lono;  time  to  contend  with  the  oblo(|uy  of  publick 
opinion;  it  was  not  until  lately  that  the  full  extent  of  his 
merit  was  known;  it  is  now  generally  acknowledged, 
that  much  of  the  praise,  of  the  most  brilliant  victory  that 
ever  crowned  our  arms  on  the  land,  is  due  to  the  skill 
and  valour  of  this  officer. 

General  Ripley,  finding  himself  unable  to  make  a  stand 
against  the  superiour  force  of  the  British,  retreated  to 
fort  Erie,  and  anticipating  the  approach  of  the  enemy, 
immediatelv  set  about  extending  its  defences.  The  cue- 
my,  notwithstanding  their  pretended  victory,  did  not  think 
proper  to  follow  up  the  Americans,  until  they  had  been 
reinforced  by  general  De  Watteville,  with  upwards  of  a 
thousand  men,  their  whole  force  about  five  thousand. 
This  formidable  body  appeared  on  the  third  of  August, 
before  a  fortification,  which,  a  few  days  pi  oviously,  had 
been  considered  untenable,  and  commenced  with  regular 
approaches,  hopeless  of  being  able  to  prevail  otherwise 


''''^JHfiUiHIiiV^'^ 


^76 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


tiian  by  a  formal  sioge.  The  besieged,  at  the  same  time, 
liibonred  incessantly  to  complete  their  defences.  The 
position  which  the  American  army  had  taken,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  defending  itself  against  so  great  a  superiority,  pos- 
sessed few  natural  advantages,  and  the  work  called  fort 
Erie  was  little  more  than  a  small  unfinished  redoubt  It 
was  situated  about  one  hundred  yards  from  the  lake 
shore  at  its  nearest  angle,  and  on  a  plain  of  about  fifteen 
feet  of  elevation.  The  f(ut  could  be  considered  as  no- 
thing more  than  the  strongest  point  of  a  fortified  camp, 
for  a  line  of  works  was  yet  to  be  constructed  in  front, 
and  extending  to  the  right  and  left  to  the  lake;  the  rear 
on  the  shore  being  left  open.  The  fort  itself  probably 
did  not  occupy  more  than  a  sixth  of  the  space  taken  up 
in  the  line  of  defences:  the  remainder  could  not  be  other- 
wise than  hastily  constructed,  and,  indeed,  notwithstand- 
in<i;  the  slow  and  cautious  approaches  of  the  British,  much 
of  it  was  left  incomplete  until  the  last  moment. 

About  the  same  time,  a  party  crossed  the  Niagara,  for 
the  purpose  of  attacking  Buffalo,  and  re-capturing-  gene- 
ral Riall.  Tliis  party,  under  colonel  Tucker,  was  re- 
pulsed by  major  Morgan,  with  a  detachment  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  men,  although  reinforced  by  a  regi- 
ment. In  this  affair,  captain  Hamilton,  and  lieutenants 
Wadsworth  and  Mcintosh  were  killed. 

The  defences  of  fort  Erie  were  sufficiently  completed, 
by  the  seventh,  to  keep  at  bay  an  enemy,  w  ho  had  by  this 
time  learned  to  respect  our  arms,  and  from  this  day,  un- 
til the  fourteenth,  there  was  an  almost  incessant  cannon- 
ade with  the  enemy's  batteries,  who  we^e  gradually  gain- 
ing ground.  In  the  frequent  skirmishes  wnich  took  place 
between  the  outposts  and  reconnoitring  parties,  the  Ame- 
ricans were  geneially  victorious;  in  one  of  them,  how- 
ever, they  lost  major  Morgan,  a  brave  officer,  who  was 
sincerely  lamented.  General  Gaines  had  arrived  shortly 
after  the  commencement  of  the  siege,  and  being  the, se- 
nior officer,  assumed  the  command.  On  the  night  of  the 
fourteenth,  general  llipley,  perceiving  a  bustle  in  the 
British  cainp,  conceived  that  an  assault  was  about  to  be 
ma<le;  he  despatched  a  messenger  with  this  intelligence 
to  general  Games,  who  was  already  apprised  of  it;  di&- 


HISTORY  OF    tHK  WAR. 


■x 


>•''  'I 


poaitions  were  rapidly  made,  and  the  troops  manifested 
j^reat  enthusiasm  to  engage  the  assailants. 

General  Drummond  had  made  arrangements  to  assail 
every  part  of  the  American  fortifications  at  the  same  in- 
stant; and  general  Gaines,  not  knowing  where  the  ene- 
my would  make  his  attack,  was  prepared  to  meet  him  at 
every  point.  The  fort  and  bastions  were  placed  under 
the  command  of  captain  Williams,  of  the  artillery:  the 
battery  on  the  lake  was  assigned  to  captain  Douglass; 
a  blockhouse,  near  the  salient  bastion,  was  occupied  by 
major  Trimble;  the  batteries  in  front,  under  captains 
Biddle  and  Fanning,  supported  by  general  Porter;  and 
the  whole  of  the  artillery  througiiout  the  garrison,  under 
major  Hindman.  The  first  brigade,  consisting  of  parts 
of  die  eleventh,  ninth,  and  twenty-second  infantry,  lately 
commanded  by  general  Scott,  now  under  colonel  Aspin- 
wall,  was  posted  on  the  right;  and  general  Ripley's  bri- 
gade, supported  Towson's  battery  and  the  line,  upon  the 
left.  A  few  hours  before  the  commencement  of  the  as- 
sault, one  of  the  enemy's  shells  exploded  a  magazine 
within  the  American  works,  which  was  succeeded  by  a 
loud  shout  from  the  besiegers,  under  the  belief  that  the 
magazine  of  the  fort  had  blown  up.  The  shout  was  re- 
turned by  the  Americans,  and  captain  Williams,  amid 
the  smoke  of  t!ie  explosion,  renewed  the  contest  by  an 
animated  roar  of  his  heavy  guns. 

At  half  after  two  in  the  morning,  tlie  approacli  of  the 
enemy's  right  column,  which  was  one  thousand  three 
hundred  strong,  was  distinctly  heard  on  the  left  of  the 
garrison.  In  this  quarter,  nothing  but  a  line  of  loose 
brush,  representing  an  abattis,  intervened.  The  second 
brigade  (major  Wood  cominaading  the  twenty-first)  and 
Towson's  artillery,  were  ready  to  receive  them.  The 
British,  under  colonel  Fischer,  were  permitte''  to  ap- 
proach within  a  short  distance,  when  a  tremendous  fire 
was  opened  upon  them,  and  their  column  fell  back  in 
confusion.  The  colonel,  rallyina;  his  men,  fl<lvanced  fu- 
riously to  the  attack;  but  was  again  compelled  to  retiie, 
with  still  greater  loss.  The  possession  of  ti»is  battery 
being  essential  to  the  general  plan  of  assault,  he  next 
essayed  to  pass  the  abattis  by  wading  in  the  lake;  but  In 

24 


!-'  ^ 


(i^k?^ 


iira 


HlSTOliY  OF  THE  WAR. 


this  unsuccessful  attempt,  nearly  two  hundred  of  his 
men  were  either  killed  or  drowned,  and  the  remainder 
fled  to  the  encampment. 

The  other  of  the  enemy's  columns  having  waited  until 
the  first  was  completely  engaged,  (presuming  that  their 
own  operations  would  by  that  means  be  facilitated)  cole* 
nel  Scott  now  approached  on  the  right  along  the  lake, 
while  colonel  Drummond,  who  had  taken  advantage  of  a 
javine,  vhicli  lay  between  the  hostile  camps,  at  the  same 
moment  rose  up,  and  advanced  to  the  assault  in  front. 
Colonel  Scott  was  checketl  by  the  Douglass  battery,  and 
captains  Brougliton  and  Hartling's  New-York  and  Pehn- 
r^ylvania  volunteers,  the  ninth  infantry,  under  captain 
Foster,  and  a  six  pounder  under  the  direction  of  colons:! 
M'Ree.  Their  fire  was  so  well  directed,  that  the  ap- 
])roaching  column  paused  at  the  distance  of  fifty  yards, 
jind  then  recoiled.  The  column  of  colonel  Drummond, 
liowever,  composed  of  eight  hundred  select  troo|>s,  firm- 
ly advanced  to  the  point  of  the  fort,  which  was  strength- 
ened by  a  temporar}^  parapet  breast-work,  with  two  bat- 
terics  and  six  field  pieces.  Suddenly  applying  his  scal- 
ing ladders,  he  mounted  the  parapet,  his  officers  calling 
out  to  the  line  at  the  Douglass  battery  to  cease  firing; 
tliis  artifice  for  a  few  moments  succeeded;  the  Ameri- 
cans, supposing  tlie  order  to  come  from  their  own  officers, 
suffered  colonel  Scott,  who  had  rallied  his  men,  to  ap- 
proach their  line,  by  which  the  trick  was  discovered;  it 
however  availed  nothing,  for  this  column  was  assailed 
with  so  much  effect,  as  to  be  compelled  again  to  retreat, 
with  the  loss  of  its  commander,  and  a  third  of  its  num- 
bers. The  fiont  column  was,  in  the  meanwhile,  with 
<>;reat  difliculty  thrown  back,  and  the  troops  within  the 
fort  were  reinforced  from  general  Ripley's  brigade,  and 
general  Porter's  volunteers.  Repeated  assaults  were 
made  by  colonel  Drummond,  and  repulsed  by  colonel 
Ilindman's  artillery,  and  the  infantry  under  major  Trim- 
ble. After  the  defeat  of  colonel  Scott's  cohunn,  lieuten- 
ant Douujlass  was  engaged  in  giving  such  directions  to 
his  guns,  as  to  cut  off  the  communication  between  colonel 
Drummond,  and  the  reserve  intended  for  bis  support,  un- 
iier  colonel  Tucker. 


already 


\.:^ 


HISTORY  OF  TUK  WAR. 


or '.I 


Colonel  Drummond,  althoui^h  throe  (itnes  ivpnl-eil, 
was  unwilling  to  renounce  his  undertaking;.  Avdiliiu; 
himself  of  the  darkness  of  tlie  hour,  whicli  was  increased 
by  the  smoke,  he  stole  silently  alony;  the  ditch,  and  sud- 
deidy  applying  his  ladders  once  more,  rapidly  j^ainetl  \\\e 
parapet,  crying;  out  to  his  men  to  rush  forward,  and  in  the 
eleji^ant  phrase,  in  which  the  British  arc  in  the   habit  ol' 

expressin£5  their  esteem  for  us,  ij;ir^  the  d d  Yankeea 

no  quarfevfi!  This  order  was  faithfully  executed;  and 
the  most  furious  strife  now  ensued,  that  had  been  wit- 
nessed since  the  commencement  of  the  assault.  All  the 
efforts  of  major  Hindman,  and  the  corps  supportinj^  him, 
could  not  dislodge  the  enemy  from  the  bastion,  though  he 
could  approach  no  further.  Captain  Williams  was  mor- 
tally wounded;  lieutenants  Watmouth  and  M'Donough, 
severely;  tlie  latter,  no  longer  able  to  fight,  called  for 
quarters.  This  was  positively  refused  by  colonel  Drum- 
mond, who  repeated  nis  instructions  to  his  troops  to  deny 
it  in  every  instance.  The  declining  and  almost  exhaust- 
ed strength  and  spirits  of  the  lieutenant,  being  restored 
and  roused  by  the  shocking  barbarity  of  this  order,  he 
seized  a  handspike,  and  with  the  desperation  of  madness, 
defended  himself  against  the  assailants,  until  lie  was  shot 
by  the  colonel  himself.  This  man  survived  an  act,  that 
was  little  better  than  assassination,  only  a  few  minutes; 
he  received  a  ball  in  his  breast,  wliich  terminated  his  in- 
glorious life,  lirutal  courage  deserves  only  our  ablior- 
rence;  it  is  only  when  tempered  with  mercy,  that  valour 
is  estimable  among  men.  The  enemy  still  maintained 
their  position,  notwithstanding  the  death  of  their  leader, 
and  repulsed  every  attempt  to  dislodge  them  until  day- 
light: they  had,  in  the  meantime,  suffered  excessively; 
and  the  contest  along  the  whole  line  of  defences,  with 
this  exception,  having  ceased,  considerable  reinforce- 
ments were  ordered  up.  The  enemy  began  at  last  to  re- 
coil, and  many  were  thrown  over  the  bastion.  The  Bri- 
tish reserve  was  now  expected  to  come  up  to  their  sup- 
port; the  result,  however,  by  this  time,  scarcely  admitted 
a- doubt.  The  cannon  of  the  Douglass  battery  infiladcd 
their  approach,  and  the  artillery  of  lieutenant  Fannini;; 
already  played  upon  them  with  great  effect.     A  part  of 


'•Pi  i.:.>n 


*':i- 


'•);-; 


60 


III.^TORY  OF  THE  WxvR. 


i 


tlio  rv\sorvc  was  about  to  advance,  when  an  explosion 
took  place  under  the  platform,  which  carried  away  (he 
bastion,  rnd  all  who  were  on  it.  The  reserve  fell  back, 
itnd  the  contest,  in  a  short  time,  terminated  in  (he  entire 
defeat  of  (be  enemy. 

Tbe  British  left  on  the  field  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
fwo  killcfl,  anion^  tliem  fourteen  olficers  of  distinction; 
one  iiujulred  and  seventy-four  wounded^  and  one  hun- 
^.\ivd  and  eighty-six  prisoners,  making;  a  total  of  five  hiin- 
•  lied  and  eiu:hty-two.  Tbe  official  statement  of  general 
Diinnmond  makes  it  in  all,  nine  hundred  and  five.  The 
Vmerican  loss  amounted  to  seventeen  killed,  fifty-six 
uotmdt'd,  and  one  lieutenant,  Fontain,  thrown  out  vvbihi 
'lefojtding  the  bastion,  and  ten  privates,  prisoners;  in  all, 
ciiility-foiir  men.  It  was  not  until  all  hopes  of  carrying 
iiie  Out  v/ere  at  an  end,  that  they  deigned  to  take  prisori- 
< MS  of  a  r»'w  wounded  men>  who  fell  into  their  power. 

'J'iio  explosion  fin-nish  the  British  with  an  excuse  for 
rhcir  dcleat;  and  they  represented  its  constMjdences  as 
iriu -h  more  serious  than  they  really  were,  in  cider  to 
hear  them  out;  but  it  is  well  known,  tliat  the  assault  had 
already  failed  in  every  part,  and  the  small  body  of  men, 
in  possession  of  the  outer  bastion,  could  net  expect  to 
subdue  the  v^hole  garrison.  Nor  was  the  number  killed 
by  the  explosion,  so  great  as  represented.  The  slaugliter 
of  the  enemy  took  place  during  the  assault,  which  had 
already  lasted  upwards  of  an  hour.  But  is  it  not  won- 
derful, that  an  enemy,  who  intended  to  put  the  garrison 
to  the  sword  without  mercy,  should  complain  of  any 
mode  of  annoyance,  which  would  prevent  the  perpetration 
P»f  their  fell  design? 

The  enem>  now  remained  cpnet  in  his  entrenchments, 
until  he  received  a  reinforcement  of  two  regiments,  when 
he  continued  to  assail  the  fort  from  his  batteries,  with 
little  intermi.-sion,  until  the  latter  end  of  August.  About 
this  time,  general  Gaines  was  severely  wounded  by  the 
bi'rstiog  of  a  shell,  which  compelled  him  to  retire  to  Buf- 

faloo. 

The  situation  of  the  army  in  fort  Erie  had  begun  to 
excite  considerable  uneasiness;  but  the  operations  of  sir 
Georse  Prevost,  about  this  time,  in  the  vicinity  of  Cham- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


281 


stire  to  Buf- 


plain  and  Pl.ittsburg;,  rendered  it  for  some  time  very  un-- 
certain  whether  any  relief  could  be  sent  by  "general  IzarcL 
It  afterwards  aj, geared,  that  orders  had  been  given  to  this 
ofTicer  by  tiie  secretary  at  var,  but  he  was  prevented,  by 
a  variety  of  causes,  from  proceedinj;^  as  rapitlly  as  could 
have  been   desired.      The  troops,   however,  were  daily 
strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  militia  and  volunteers;  and 
general  Brown,    havinis;  sufficiently  recovered   from  his 
wounds,  returned  to  the  command.     The  sic^e  still  con- 
tinued with  vigour  on  the  part  of  the  Britisl),  who  hcd 
abandoned  the  idea  of  carrying  the  place  otlierwise  than 
by  regular  approaches,  although  their  force  had  been  con- 
siderably augmented  since  their  last  defeat.     The  Ame- 
ricans laboured,  with  no  less  assiduity,  to  complete  their 
fortifications;  frequent    skirmishes  occurred,  and  a  can- 
nonade on  either  side  was  kept  up,  but  nothing  of  im- 
portance took  place  until  the  seventeenth  of  September. 
General  Brown  ooserving  that  the  enemy  had  just  com- 
pleted a  battery,  which  could  open  a  most  destructive  fire 
the  next  day,  planned  a  sortie,  wl  ich  has  been  considered 
a  military  chef  d'tjeuvre.      The  British  force  consisted  of 
three  brijjades,  of  one  thousand  five  hundred   men  each, 
one  of  wliich  was  stationed  at  the  works  in  front  of  fort 
Erie,  the  other  two  occupied  a  camp  two  miles  in  the 
rear.    The  design  of  general  Brown  was  to  "storm  the 
batteries,  destroy  the  cannon,  and  roug'ily   handle  the 
brigade  on  duty,  before  those  in  reserve  could  be  brought 
up."     A  road  had  previously  been  opened  by  lieutenants 
Riddle  and  Frazer,  in  a  circuitous  course  through  the 
woods,  within  pistol  shot  of  the  flank  of  the  line  of  batte- 
ries, and  with  such  secrc  y  as  to  have  escaped  the  notice 
of  the  enemy.    At  two  o'clock  the  troops  were  drawn  up 
in  readiness  to  make  ^he  sortie.    The  division  command- 
ed by  general  Porter,  was  composed  of  rillemen  and  In- 
dians (under  colonel  Gibson,)  and  two  columns,  one  on 
the  right  commanded  by  colonel  Wood,  t!ie  left  command 
ed  by  general  Davis,  of  the  New-York  militia;  this  was  to 
proceed  through  the  woods  by  the  road  which  had  been 
opened;  while  the  right  division  of  the  troops,  in  the  ra- 
vme  already  mentioned,  was  to  be  stationed  between  tlie 
fort  and  the  enemy's  works,  under  general  Miller,  with 
24* 


:\M 


\H  fg 


282 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I 


^ 


orders  not  t(»  advance  until  general  Porter  should  have 
engaged  their  flank. 

The  command  of  general  Porter  advanced  with  so  nuicli 
celerity  and  cautioii,  that  \v\\cn  they  rushed  upon  the  ene- 
my's flank,  they  gave  the  first  intimation  of  their  ap- 
proach. A  severe  conflict  for  a  moment  ensued,  in  which 
those  gallant  officei's,  colonel  Gibson  and  colonel  Wood, 
Tell  at  the  head  of  their  columns,  and  the  command  devolv- 
ed on  lieutenant  colonel  M'Donald  and  major  Rrooks. 
In  thirty  minutes  possession  was  taken  of  both  batteries 
in  this  quarter,  together  with  a  block-house  in  the  rear, 
and  the  garrison  made  prisoners.  Three  twenty-four 
pounders  were  renderecl  useless,  .ind  their  magazine 
blown  up  by  lieutenant  Riddle,  who  narrowly  escaped  the 
effects  of  the  explosion.  At  this  moment  the  division  of 
2;eneral  Miller  came  up;  general  Brown  having  heard  the 
tiring,  had  ordered  it  to  advance.  In  conjunction  with 
colonel  Gibson's  column,  he  pierced  between  the  second 
and  third  line  of  batteries,  and  after  a  severe  contest,  car- 
ried the  first  of  these:  in  this  assault  general  Davis  fell,  at 
the  head  of  his  volunteers.  The  whole  of  these  batteries 
and  the  two  block-houses,  being  in  the  possession  of  the 
\mericans,  general  Miller's  division  inclined  to  the  mote 
J'ormidable  batteries  toward  the  lake  shore;  at  this  moment 
rhey  were  joined  by  the  reserve  under  general  Ripley. 
Here  the  resistance  was  more  obstinate,  the  work  being 
exceedingly  intricate,  from  the  successive  lines  of  in- 
trenchments,  contrived  with  studied  complexity;  a  con- 
stant use  of  the  bayonet  was  the  only  mode  of  assailing 
fhem;  the  enemy  had  also,  by  this  time,  received  conside- 
rable reinforcements.  General  Miller  continued  to  ad- 
vance, although  suffering  severe  loss  in  some  of  his  valu- 
able officers:  colonel  Aspinwall  was  badly  wounded,  and 
major  Trimble  dangerously.  The  twenty-first,  under 
lieutenant  colonel  TJpham,  forming  a  part  of  the  reserve, 
and  part  of  the  seventeenth,  uniting  with  the  corps  of  ge- 
neral Miller,  charged  rapidly  upon  the  remaining  battery, 
which  was  instantly  abandoned  by  the  British  infantry 
and  artillery.  General  Ripley  now  ordered  a  line  to  be 
/orni?d,  for  the  protection  of  the  detachments  engaged  in 
df'str«>ying  the  batteries,  and  was  engaged  in  making  ar- 


IIISTO  .Y  OF  THK  WAR. 


283 


rangements  for  following  up,  a«5aiiist  the  rear  of  o;cMieral 
Drunimond,  the  success  which  nad  so  far  transceiMled  ex- 
pectation, when  he  received  a  wound  in  the  neck,  and  fell 
Uy  tlie  side  of  major  Brooks:  he  was  immediately  trans- 
ported to  the  fort.  The  objects  of  the  sortie  havinj;  been 
completely  effected,  general  Miller  called  in  his  detach- 
uients,  and  retired  in  jt^ood  order,  with  the  prisoners  and 
the  trophies  of  this  signal  exploit.^  Thus,  in  a  few  hours, 
the  result  of  forty-seven  days  incessant  labour  w«is  de- 
stroyed; and  in  addition  to  the  loss  of  their  cannon,  up- 
wards of  a  thousantl  of  their  men  were  placed  hors  de 
combat.  The  American  loss  amounted  to  eighty-three 
killed,  two  hundred  and  sixteen  wounded,  and  a  like 
number  missin^i;.  Besides  the  gallant  officers  already 
mentioned,  several  others  of  great  merit  fell  on  this  occa- 
sion: captain  Armistead,  of  the  rifle  corps;  Hall,  of  the 
eleventh  infantry;  Bradford,  of  thi  twenty-first,  and  Buel, 
of  the  volunteers;  ensign  O'Flinjt,  of  the  twenty -third  in- 
fantry, a  meritorious  officer;  and  lieutenants  Brown,  Belk- 
nap, and  Blakesley,  of  the  volunteers.  The  loss  on  the  part 
of  the  British  has  not  been  accurately  tiscertained,  but 
must  have  been  very  great;  three  hundred  and  eighty-five 
were  taken  prisoners.  A  few  days  after  this  splendid 
victory  on  the  part  of  the  British,  for  as  such  it  was  claim- 
ed by  them,  they  broke  up  their  encampment,  and  march- 
ed to  fort  George! 

Soon  after  this  affair,  general  Izard  arrived  with  rein- 
forcements from  Plattsburg,  and  being  the  senior  officer, 
superceded  general  Brown  in  the  command.  By  this  ac- 
cession of  force,  and  the  completion  of  the  defences  of 
fort  Krie,  all  apprehensions  of  any  further  attempt 
f»gainst  it  were  removed.  About  the  latter  end  of  July, 
the  secretary  of  war,  hearing  that  the  British  were  send- 
ing strong  reinforcements  from  Montreal  to  Kingston, 
had  intimated  to  general  Izard,  thd  propriety  of  moving 
the  principal  part  of  his  force  to  Sackett's  Harbour  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a  junction  with  general  Gaines, 
of  threatening  Prescott  and  Kingston,  and  at  the  same 
time  detaching  a  part  of  his  force  to  the  aid  of  general 
Brown,  in  the  prosecution  of  his  part  of  the  campaign. 
In  pursuance  of  this  intimation,  the  general  moved  to 


1  •   '  ■ 


k 


^58  4 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR 


i 


Si^ 


Siickett's   TIaiboiir,  with   iioarly  all   lus  efllocflvo   force, 
;im()unlinjj;  to  four  thousand  men,  wlierc  he  arrived  on  th« 
sovent«'ci»tl»  of  Septmihor.     The  events  which  imd  in  the 
ineantiuu!  occurred,    and   wluch   have  iseen  already'  de- 
tailed, had   t^iven  a  new  face  to  the  canipaign.     Shortly 
before  the  arrival  of  the  ;;cneral,  he  had  received  a  letter 
fr(un   y;eneral   IJrown,  j^ivini;  information  of  his  critical 
position,  and  callinii;  for  speedy   relief.     It   Mas  not  be- 
fore tlie  twentieth,  tiwit'j^encral  Izard  was  enabled  to  em- 
bark his  troops,  and  it  was  sometime  in  October  before 
he  actually  reached  fort  Krie.     It  will  be  seen,  (in  a  sub- 
secjuent  chapter)  that  the  post  which  he  left  was,  soon  af- 
ter his  departure,  placed  in  a  situation  as  critical  as  that 
wliicli  he  ha<l  come  to  relieve.     These  are  the  unavoidable 
Gross  purposes,  resul(inj>;  fr'>m  the  ))rosccution  of  a  war 
with  a  liandful  of  men,  alon«»:  a  frontier  of  such  immense 
extent,  and  the  absurdity  of  expecting  these  small  corps 
to  march  to  their  mutual  relief,  or  to  act  on  concerted 
plans,  at  the  distance  ol  four  or  live  hundred  miles,  sub- 
ject to  innumerable  contiiiijencies.     Fortunately,  before 
the  arrival  of  general  I/.ard,  the  success  of  the  sortie 
planned  by  general  Brown,  had  compelled  the  enemy  to 
raise  the  siege.     The  approach   of  general  Izard,  in  all 
probability,  contributed  somewhat  to  this  event.     Leav- 
ing  a  sulHcicnt   ganison   under  colonel   Hind  man,  the 
army  moved  towards  Chij;pewa,  to  operate  offensively 
against  the  enemy;  but  notiung  of  noment  was  achieved 
for  some  time,  in  consecjuence  of  their  acquired  shyness. 
Before  the  close  of  the  campaign,  a  gallant  affair  was 
achieved   by  general  Bissil,  of  the  second  brigade  of  the 
first  division,     On  the  eighteenth  of  October,  lie  was  de- 
tached with  nine  hundred  men,  to  the  neigbourhood  of 
Cook's  mills,  at  Jjyon's  creek,  for  the  purpose  of  destroy- 
ing the  enemy's  stores  in  that  quarter.     After  driving  in 
a  picket-guard,  and  ca'^turing  its  oiKcers,  he  threw  across 
the  creek  two  light  co)L,)anies  under  captains  Dormart 
and  Horrell,  and  a  rifle  company  under  captain   Irvine, 
and  then  encamped.     The  next  morning  the  detachment 
was  attacked  by  the  marquis  of  TweCv'-de,  with  twelve 
hundred   men;  the  companies  on  the  other  side  of  the 
creek  received  the  enemy's  tire,  and  sustained  their  at- 


ill*  POKY  OF  TIIK  WAU. 


285 


tack  until  aonoral  Hissil  had  fonned  his  men,  and  brought 
lIicMu  to  thi'ir  support.  Coh)nel  Finknev,  with  the  til'th, 
was  ordered  to  turn  t!ie  enemy's  iii!;lit  llank,  an<l  cut  oil' 
a  piece  of  artiUery  which  had  been  brouirht.  into  action, 
while  nuijor  liernanl  advanced  in  front,  and  was  recom- 
mended to  make  a  free  use  of  the  bayonet.  These  or- 
ders were  rapidly  carried  into  executioij.  The  wliole 
line  l)ei;an  to  recoil,  and  the  reserve,  con>posed  of  the 
fifteenth,  under  major  Grinda^e,  and  the  sixteenth  under 
colonel  IVarce,  was  no  sooner  discovered  advancinj;,  ihau 
the  mar(|uis  gave  orders  to  retreat  to  his  intrenchments 
at  the  mouth  of  the  riv(;r;  he  fell  hack  in  disorder,  leav- 
iiiu;  his  killed  and  wounded  behind.  After  pursuin;^  a 
small  distance,  j^eneral  15issil  proceeded  to  the  execution 
of  his  orders,  in  the  destruction  of  the  stores  at  the 
mills;  after  which  he  retreated,  with  a  loss  of  sixt^-sevon 
killed,  wounded  and  missing. 

.^oon  after  tins  affair,  the  weather  growing  cold,  and 
t'le  season  for  njilitary  operations  drawing  to  a  close,  it 
was  (letormii^ed  to  transport  the  whole  army  to  the  Ame- 
rican side;  which  was  accordingly  etl'ected,  after  the  de- 
j-huction  of  the  fort.  The  troops  were  distributed  at 
HutV;:!(je,  Hjack  f^ock,  and  Batavia. 

Thus  tcirminated  the  third  invasion  of  Canada,  if  it  can 
be  pioperly  called  so;  for  it  was  not  generally  expected 
that  any  thing  fuither  would  be  accomplished,  than  keep- 
ing in  check  the  forces  of  the  enemy,  and  regaining  what 
we  had  lost  on  our  own  side.  At  tlie  opening  of  the  cam- 
paign, general  Brown  indulged  a  hope  of  being  able,  in 
conjunction  with  commodore  Chauncey,  to  subdue  the 
British  forces  in  the  neighbourhood  of  lake  Ontario,  and 
possess  himself  of  Kingston;  but  towards  the  beginning 
of  autumn,  so  material  a  change  had  occurred  in  our  situ- 
ation, in  consequence  of  the  great  augmentation  of  the 
British  force  on  our  borders,  and  the  invasions  of  our  ter- 
ritory on  the  sea-coast,  and  the  ('anada  frontier,  that  all 
idea  of  making  an  impression  on  Canada,  with  the  force 
then  on  f:)ot,  was  abandoned.  It  was  stated  by  the  friends 
of  the  administration,  that  the  best  mode  of  protecting 
the  Atlantic  coast,  was  to  threaten  Canada,  by  which 
means.  Great  Britain  would  be  compelled  to  concentrate 


:  .'.'f  V 


I 'I'. 


1    !        '^       !"■ 


'Mi 


.iU 


••jMBKrifur" 


■288 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


the  greater  part  of  her  force,  in  that  province.  Tlu" 
American  ref^ulars  did  not  exceed  ten  thousand,  while 
those  of  the  British,  it  has  since  been  ascertained,  exceed- 
ed tvventv-thousand;  nearly  all  veterans.  The  whole 
American  army  distributed  in  the  different  Atlantic  cities, 
would  not  alford  much  dependence  for  defence,  from  the 
troops  which  mii;ht  be  sent  aj^Lainjt  them,  if  Great  Britain 
had  been  relieved  from  the  defence  of  Canada,  As  to 
the  conquest  of  this  province,  it  is  very  questionable 
whether  it  would  materially  have  benefitted  us.  It  is 
well  known  that  it  contains  the  bitterest  enemies  to  the 
American  government  and  people,  many  of  whom  tied 
from  this  country  during  the  contest  for  independence, 
and  it  is  not  likely  that  they  would  willingly  be  incorpo- 
rated into  our  republick. 

The  most  important  results,  however,  followed  the 
campaign  on  the  Niagara.  The  developement  of  the 
character  of  American  troops,  under  proper  discipline, 
was  productive  of  as  much  glory  for  tliis  country,  as  of 
surprise  io  the  enemy.  During  tlie  two  iirst  years  tliere 
was  scarcely  time  to  form  otlicers,  and  during  the  last 
period  of  the  v.ar  the  army  was  composed  of  better  ma- 
terials;  the  aversion  to  eidistnjents  was  gradually  subsid- 
ing, and  commissions  were  sought  by  young  men  of  edu- 
cation and  talents;  another  year  would  h{«.vc  given  an 
army,  which  Great  Britain  might  have  regarded  with  un- 
easiness. That  spirit,  which  bestows  superiority  to  man 
in  every  station,  was  beginning  to  discover  its  resistless 
powei-;  the  closing  scenes  of  this  campaign  placed  the 
army  or  a  level  with  the  heroick  charactei-  of  the  navy. 
What  is  that  spirit?  It  is  the  spirit  of  freedom;  it  is  tliat 
which  gives  conscious  dignity  and  worth  to  the  soldier 
and  the  citizen.  It  is  that  which  gave  victories  to 
Greece,  and  gained  triumphs  for  Rome,  and  which  has 
carried  the  power  of  Britain  round  the  globe.  This  enno- 
bling spirit  animated  the  sons  of  freedom,  and  gave  them 
strength  to  conquer  in  two  pitched  battles,  on  ground 
chosen  by  the  veteran  troops  of  England;  and  twice 
more  to  baffle  and  defeat  the  utmost  eftbits  of  their  skill 
and  courage:  for  each  Jimerlcan  felt,  that  he  could  not 
return  to  mingle  with  his  countrymen  without  honour  or 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


287 


tlisii;race.  Such  was  the  valour  wliich  they  displayed, 
that  it  was  declared  by  the  BritisI  )tlficers  who  had  seen 
severe  service  in  Spain,  that  they  uad  never  encountered 
men  like  these.  But  as  Britain  falls  below  America  in 
the  liberality  and  wisdom  of  her  institutions,  so  her  sons 
must  yield  the  Americans  the  wreath  of  valour.  Worth 
here,  alone,  is  nobility.  Our  Hulls,  our  Oecaturs,  our 
Browns,  are  not  obliged  like  the  WellinjGjtons  or  Nelsons, 
to  share  their  well  earned  honours,  with  the  creatures  of 
accident;  periiaps  with  the  worthless  descendants  of 
worthless  ancestors.  I  am  far  from  supposing  that  there 
is  no  intrinsick  good  among  the  hereditary  English  nobili- 
ty, but  certainly  too  many  of  them  are  born  only  to  usurp 
the  place  of  merit,  and  indulge  the  most  idle  and  vicious 
propensities.  It  was  proved  to  tlie  world,  that  we  could 
concjuer  upon  the  land  as  well  as  upon  the  sea.  The  bat- 
tles of  Niagara  and  Chippewa,  were  both  won  by  a  com- 
bination of  military  skdl  and  personal  courage;  the 
defence  of  Erie,  and  the  sortie,  if  achieved  by  the  arms 
of  great  Britain,  would  have  been  ranked  amongst  the 
most  distingnished  acts  of  valour,  since  even  their  defeats 
are  deemed  worthy  of  applause.  They  have  at  last  con- 
descended to  place  us  on  an  equality  with  them;  the  na- 
tion which  never  owned  an  equal  beiore;  they  have  even 
arrogated  to  themselves  a  share  of  our  victories,  by  re- 
garding our  contest  as  a  war  between  Greek  and  Grerk; 
but  we  cannot  admit  that  we  arc  both  alike  actuated  by 
that  spirit  of  liberty,  which  distinguished  Greece  in  the 
days  of  her  renown. 

In  the  course  of  the  summer,  several  expeditions  were 
undertaken  to  the  westward.  An  attempt  was  made, 
with  the  co-operation  of  commodore  Sinclair,  to  regain 
possession  of  Michilimackinack,  by  major  Croghan.  But 
the  enemy  was  found  too  strongly  fortified  for  any  im- 
pression to  be  made  by  a  force  so  inconsiderable.  The 
gallant  young  officer  effected  a  landing  on  the  island,  but 
soon  found  that  the  enemy  was  in  such  strength;  as  to  ren- 
der the  capture  of  the  place  hopeless;  he  therefore,  after  a 
severe  contlict,  returned  lo  the  shipping,  with  the  loss  of 
a  valuable  officer,  major  Holmes,  and  about  sixty  in  killed 
and  wounded,  among  the  latter  nuijer  Dashea,  of  Kentuc- 


•!« 


'•hi 

'■,  t'K.  fn;. 


li  k,>k 


111 


388 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


ky.  The  expedition  was  not  altogether  useless;  the  IJiv 
tish  establishments  Df  Mary's  ana  St.  Joseph,  were  de 
stroyed.  After  leaviniaj  the  island,  commodore  Sinclair 
loft  "two  of  his  schooners,  the  Scorpion  and  Tygress,  to 
cut  oft' the  supplies  of  the  British  garrison.  These  were 
unfortunately  surprised  by  a  very  superiour  force  of  the 
enemy,  anti  carried  by  boarding,  after  great  slaughter. 

About  the  same  time,  general  M*Arthur,  with  about 
seven  hundred  men,  marched  from  Detroit  into  the  ene- 
my's country,  and  after  dispersing  all  the  detachments 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Thames,  destroying  their 
storcjs,  and  taking  one  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners,  re- 
turned without  loss. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


11 


War  on  the  sea-coast — ^Engagements  between  the  enemy  and  Har- 
ney's flotilla  in  the  Chesapeake — Plunderings  of  the  British— 
\Vashington  and  IJaltimore  threatened— (aeneral  Winder  appointed 
to  comin>an(l  the  tenth  district — Serious  apprehensions  from  the  Bri- 
tish— Difficulties  in  collecting  an  efficient  force  for  defence — Cap- 
ture of  \\  ashington— I  he  plunder  of  Alexandria. 

J.  HE  shifting  scenes  of  this  war,  carried  on  over  a  sur- 
face so  extensive,  and  with  objects  so  various,  once  more 
brings  us  back  to  the  Atlantic  sea-coast.  With  the  re- 
turn of  spring,  the  British  renewed  their  practice  of 
petty  plundering  and  savage  devastation  on  the  waters 
of  the  Chesapeake,  but  carrying  it  to  an  extent  still 
greater  than  the  year  before.  The  flotilla  already  spo- 
ken of,  for  the  defence  of  the  inlets  and  smaller  rivers, 
consisting  of  a  cutter,  two  gunboats,  and  nine  barges, 
was  placed  under  the  command  of  that  gallant  veteran, 
commodore  Barney,  and  who,  on  several  occasions,  se- 
verely repressed  the  inroads  of  the  enemy.  On  the  first 
of  June,  ne  gave  chase  to  two  of  the  enemy's  schooners, 
but  on  the  appearance  of  a  large  ship,  which  despatchetl 
a  number  of  baraes  to  cut  him  off',  the  commodore  order- 
ed ills  llotilia  b)  signal  to  sail  up  the  Patuxent.      Here  he 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


i289 


engaged  the  enemy's  schooners  and  barn;es,  and  succeed- 
ed in  beating  them  oft*,  inflicting  considerable  injury  on 
them.  The  enemy,  having  been  reinforced,  made  an- 
other attempt  upon  the  flotilla  with  all  their  barges,  but 
were  again  compelled  to  retire,  being  pursued  to  their 
ships.  On  the  tenth,  the  enemy  made  a  still  more  for- 
midable attack  upon  the  flotilla,  with  two  schooners  and 
twenty  barges.  After  a  smart  action,  the  barges  were 
driven  to  take  shelter  in  the  St.  lieonard's  from  an  eigh- 
teen gun  vessel,  which  was  then  so  roughly  handled,  at 
long  sliot,  that  her  crew  ran  her  aground  and  abandoned 
her.  These  attempts  were  frequently  repeated  until  the 
twenty-sixth,  when  the  commodore,  having  received  a 
reinforcement  of  artillerists  and  marines,  moved  against 
the  enemy's  squadron,  of  which  two  of  the  vessels  were 
frigates,  and  after  an  action  of  two  hours,  drove  them 


from   their 


anchorage. 


The    commodore   findine:    the 


blockade  of  the  St.  Leonard's  raised,  sailed  out  and  as- 
cended the  Patuxent. 

After  this,  the  enemy  was  constantly  engaged  in  mak- 
ing inroads  on  the  defenceless  and  unprotected  settle- 
ments and  villages  along;  the  bay,  and  its  various  inlets. 
Benedict  and  Marlborough,  on  the  Potomack,  were  plun- 
dered of  considerable  quantities  of  tobacco,  merchandise, 
and  stock.  In  the  detail  of  their  operations  given  by 
themselves,  it  appears  to  have  been  the  uniform  practice 
to  destroy  the  shipping,  carry  away  the  tobacco,  and 
other  staples,  and  induce  the  negroes  to  join  them,  who 
were  afterwards,  it  is  said,  retained  in  slavery  in  the 
West  Indies.  A  great  number  of  individuals,  in  easy 
and  even  affluent  circumstances,  were  reduced  to  pover- 
ty. Several  gallant  attempts  were  made  by  general  Tay- 
lor, and  general  Hungerford,  to  repress  their  incursions 
in  Virginia,  but  the  militia,  hastily  assembled,  was  gene- 
rally tound  inefficient.  At  Kinsale,  general  Taylor  was 
wounded  and  unhorsed,  narrowly  escaping  capture.  At 
this  place,  at  Tocomoco,  at  St.  Mary's,  and  various  others, 
admual  Cockburn  obtained  a  respectable  booty  of  tobac- 
co, negroes,  and  household  furniture. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  .lune,  apprehensions  began 
to  be  entertained,  that  the  enemy  had  in  view  some  more 
25 


mm 


.'.-'Mil 


^HHpi^ 


'O 


90 


HISTORY  OF  THE  VVAll. 


seiious  object  of  attack,  either  Baltimore  or  Washing- 
ton.   Much  alarm  had  been  felt  in  these  places  the  year 
before,  but  after  it  had  subsided,  an  opinion  was  inclulg- 
ed,  probably  well  founded,  that  a  land  force,  greatly  more 
considerable,  than  was  then  at  the  commancl  of  the  Bri- 
tish, would  be  required  to  make  any  serious  impression 
upon  cither  of  these  places,  or  even  upon  Annapolis  and 
Norfolk;  this  was  particularly  proved  in  the  attack  upon 
the  latter.    It  was  justly  thougnt  that  the  enemy  had  re- 
ceived a  lesson,  which  would  render  him  cautious  in  at- 
tacking; the  more  considerable  towns.    But  the  sudden 
and  unforeseen  events  of  Europe,  had  entirely  changed 
the  face  of  things;  Britain  was  now  able  to  supply  what 
she  was  not  possessed  of  the  year  before,  a  powerful  land 
force.     Towards  the  latter  end  of  June,  our  government 
received  certain  intelligence  from  Messrs.  Gallatin  and 
Bayard,  that  our  enemy  was  determined  not  to  let  slip 
the  opportunity  of  gratifying  revenge,  and  was  about  to 
send  powerful  reinforcements  to  America.     From  the 
English  prints  it  appeared,  that  England  was  extravagant- 
ly elated  by  her  success,  and  toot  to  herself  the  whole 
merit  of  the  great  events  on  the  continent,  and  in  reality 
believed  herself  the  mistress  of  the  world.     She  was  well 
acquainted  with  our  situation;  she  knew  that  the  regular 
troops  on  the  Canada  frontier  could  not  at  this  moment 
be  withdrawn,  leaving  powerful  armies  to  penetrate  the 
northern  states;  and  she  knew  that  it  was  impossible  in 
the  short  space  of  time,  which  had  elapsed  since  the  oc- 
currence of  the  singular  change  in  the  state  of  Europe, 
which  no  statesman  had  foreseen,  to  imbody  a  considerable 
and  efficient  force.    The  American  cities  were  all  exposed 
to  attack  by  land,  although  tolerably  fortified  against  any 
approach  by  water.    A  few  thousand  regulars  were  scat- 
tered along  a  coast  of  fifteen  hundred  miles,  and  the  only 
force  to  be  opposed  to  their  veteran  soldiers,  was  inexpe- 
rienced militia,  drawn  together  on  the  spur  of  the  occa- 
sion.   There  is  no  doubt  that  the  militia  constitutes  the 
best  materials  for  armies,  because  individually  they  are 
actuated  by  hi?her  motives,  than  the  enlisted  soldier  can 
always  be;  but  in  order  to  be  efficient,  to  use  the  words  of 
the  great  fiiend  of  this  species  of  force^  (Fletcher  of  Sal- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


29 1 


[)r  Washing- 
ices  the  year 
I  was  indulg- 
greatly  more 
■I  of  the  Bri- 
s  impression 
nnapolis  and 
J  attack  upon 
nemy  had  re- 
autious  in  at- 
t  the  sudden 
irely  changed 
)  supply  what 
powerful  land 
ir  government 
Gallatin  and 
jot  to  let  slip 
was  about  to 
1.     From  the 
s  extravagant- 
self  the  whole 
and  in  reality 
She  was  well 
»at  the  regular 
;  this  moment 
penetrate  the 
impossible  in 
since  the  oc- 
ite  of  Europe, 
a  considerable 
jre  all  exposed 
■d  against  any 
ars  were  scat- 
,  and  the  only 
s,  was  inexpe- 
of  the  occa- 
constitutes  the 
ually  they  are 
ed  soldier  can 
se  the  words  of 
letcher  of  Sal- 


ten)  "they  must  be  on  a  right  foot;"  they  must  be  encamp- 
ed, disciplined,  harmonised,  accustomed  to  see  danger, 
and  the  different  corps  taught  to  rely  on  each  other,  to 
obey  and  confide  in  their  officers.  This  is  not  the  work 
of  a  day.  In  the  open  field,  where  military  evolutions  are 
necessary,  the  novelties  of  the  scene,  as  well  as  the  want 
of  reliance  on  each  other,  renders  it  impossible  for  this 
description  of  force  to  encounter,  with  effect,  an  army  of 
veterans,  used  to  dangers,  and  regularly  compacted  by 
discipline,  so  as  to  act,  as  it  were,  by  one  luind. 

The  attention  of  the  president,  being  thus  seriously 
awakened  by  the  danger,  to  be  apprehended  if  the  news 
of  the  reinforcements,  intended  for  the  fleet  then  in  the 
Chesapeake,  should  be  true,  called  a  council  of  the  heads 
of  departments,  and  suggested  the  propriety  of  collecting 
all  the  regulars  within  reach,  of  forming  a  camp  of  at 
least  three  thousand  men,  at  some  point  between  the 
Eastern  Branch  and  the  Patuxent,  and  of  imbodying  at 
least  ten  thousand  militia  at  Washington.  These  ideas 
appeared  to  meet  the  approbation  of  all;  and  there  is  lit- 
tle doubt,  that  had  they  been,  or  could  they  have  been 
carried  into  execution,  both  the  cities  of  Baltimore  and 
Washington  would  safely  have  bid  defiance  to  the  Bri- 
tish arms.  Steps  were  immediately  taken  in  furtherance 
of  these  views;  a  requisition  was  made  of  the  whole 
quota  of  the  state  oi  Maryland,  of  six  thousand;  five 
thousand  of  that  of  Pennsylvania;  two  thousand  of  Vir- 
ginia; besides  the  whole  quota  of  the  district  of  Colum- 
bia, amounting  to  two  thousand  more;  making  in  the 
whole  fifteen  thousand,  which  it  was  thought  would 
scarcely  fail  of  bringing  at  least  ten  thousand  into  the 
field.  It  was  ascertained,  that  about  a  thousand  regulars 
could  be  depended  on,  besides  a  squad roi  of  horse  then 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  some  regulars  who  were  ordered 
from  North  Carolina,  and  in  addition,  the  men  of  Bar- 
ney's flotilla,  in  case  it  should  be  found  necessary  to 
abandon  it.  Here  was  a  formidable  army  on  paper;  but, 
with  the  exception  of  the  regulars,  these  soldiers  were 
yet  quietly  at  their  homes,  the  greater  part  at  a  consi- 
derable distance,  and  the  work  of  drawing  them  out,  im- 
bodying, arming  and  disciplining,  yet  to  be  performed;: 


•:!■..»■ 


ir 


\.'-sntc^-u.-^'-:>:^^  '«fcut3 


'■WTSnCT'-XS 


292 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


h  ■. 


each  of  these  operations  requiring  time,  .and  causing;  uiii- 
voidable  delav. 

A  new  military  district,  composed  of  Maryland,  the 
district  ot  C(tlumbia,  and  part  of  V'ir<^inia,  was  formed, 
and  on  the  fifth  of  July  the  command  was  j;ivcn  to  gene- 
ral Winder,  who  had  been  a  short  time  before  exclian<>;- 
ed.  The  duties  assigned  to  this  otiicer  were  amon;':=5t 
the  most  important  ontjusfed  to  any  one  (hninj:;  the  vvor; 
and  were,  in  their  nature,  exceedin'^ly  arduous  and  dijli- 
tult.  The  ar.'.iy,  with  which  he  was  to  defend  the  im- 
portant cities  of  Baltimore  and  VVashinjiiton,  existed  only 
on  paper;  and  whether  they  could  he  brought  into  the 
liehi,  or  not,  <lepended  upon  casualties  beyimd  his  con- 
trol. The  desire  of  distinction,  and  the  sincere  wish  to 
serve  his  country,  overcame  every  personal  consideration, 
and  he  diligently  employed  himself,  from  the  moment  of 
his  appolrtment,  in  visiting  every  part  of  the  country,  and 
in  accjuiring  ti  minute  topographical  acquaintance  wi'h  all 
those  points,  where  the  enemy  would  be  most  likely  to 
make  an  attack.  At  the  same  time  he  was  assiduously 
employed  in  collecting  a  force;  in  this,  unexpected  difii- 
lulties  occurred:  thegovernour  of  Maryland -iifter  issuing 
<he  drafts  for  three  thousand  men,  found  that  scarcely  as 
many  hundred  could  be  collected.  With  the  governoiir 
of  Pennsylvania,  matters  were  still  worse.  He  itdbrmed 
ilie  i>ccretary  at  war,  that  in  consequence  of  the  deranged 
state  of  the  militia  law,  the  executive  had  at  that  moment 
no  power  to  enforce  a  draft;  but  that  he  would  appeal  to 
the  patriotism  of  the  people,  in  hopes  that  the  legal  objec- 
tion would  not  be  made.  By  a  letter  of  the  seventeenth 
of  July,  eight  or  ten  days  alter  the  general  had  assumed 
the  command,  he  was  authorized  to  call  upon  the  gover- 
nour  of  Pennsylvania  for  the  proportion  of  that  state;  but 
this  letter  did  not  reach  him  until  it  was  too  late.  The 
effect,  however,  of  the  call,  is  mere  conjectural,  as  it  could 
be  founded  upon  no  authority,  but  merely  depended  on 
the  inclination  of  individuals. 

Thus  seven  thousand  men  were  at  once  thrown  out  of 
the  question,  and  of  the  remaining  eight  thousand  men  of 
this  army  on  paper,  tvvo-thirds  at  least  must  be  deducted, 
in  alloM  ing  for  other  failures.    Towards  the  beginning  of 


HISTORY  OF  TlIK  WAU. 


iiOo 


causing  uiii- 


Auijjust,  the  p;eneral  had  about,  a  tliousaml  ro2;u!ars  upon 
u'hicli  !u*  coiihi  count  with  certainty,  and  alioui  four  thou- 
sand niiliUa,  the  {greater  part  yet  at  their  homes;  beside^ 
this  disappoint  nent  in  the  contemplated  force,  he  was  in- 
volved in  |)erplexity  by  not  knowing  where  the  enemy  in- 
tended lo  strike,  Baltimore  or  Washinu;ton;  for  a'''uittinu; 
that  this  force  iiad  been  suflicient  to  defend  one  place,  it: 
was  not  suflicient  to  (h^fend  both  at  the  same  time.  On 
the  failure  of  the  draft  in  the  state  of  Maiyland,  trie  force 
then  imbodied  at  Annapolis  was,  by  consent  of  tiie  i^o- 
vernour,  taken  as  part  of  the  state  requisition;  and  a  bri- 
gade of  Maryland  militia,  under  general  Stansbiiry,  was 
also  placed  at  the  disposal  of  general  Winder;  but  the  in- 
habitants of  Baltimore,  near  wh'.cli  they  were  collected, 
could  not  think  of  permitting  them  to  leave  the  city,  with- 
out reluctance,  considering  tlieir  own  exposed  situation. 

Here  is  an  impartial  statement  of  the  causes  which  re- 
sulted in  the  subsequent  disaster;  for  under  the  circum- 
stances, it  scarcely  could  have  happened  otiierwise,  with- 
out one  of  those  extraordinary  turns  of  fortune,  upon 
which  we  have  no  right  to  calculate.  It  is  wroijg  in  us  to 
throw  the  blame  exclusively  on  all,  or  any  of  the  .^euts 
on  the  occasion.  The  blame  must  be  shared  by  the  na- 
tion, and  partly  by  our  political  institutions;  nor  do  1 
think  the  worse  of  them  for  their  want  of  ener<2;y  in  as- 
suming promptly  a  military  attitude:  we  should  have  to 
resign  too  many  blessings  to  possess  t!ie  capacity;  unless 
our  militia  can  be  regularly  classed  and  disciplined. 

'J'he  expected  reinforcements  arrived  in  the  Cliosa- 
peake  about  the  beginnini»;  of  August,  under  admiral 
Cochrane,  who  was  soon  joined  by  the  fleet  in  great  force, 
under  admiral  Malcom.  The  expedition  was  destined 
against  Baltimore  or  Washington;  but  until  the  last  mo- 
ment, it  was  uncertain  against  whicl\  in  particul.'vr.  To 
increase  this  perplexity,  the  enemy  divided  his  force  into 
three  parts,  sendi  ig  one  up  the  Potomack,  under  captain 
Gordon,  for  the  purpose  of  bombarding  fort  Warburton, 
and  opening  the  way  to  the  City  of  Washington;  th(j 
other,  under  sir  Peter  Parker,  as  if  to  threaten  Baltimore; 
while  the  main  body  ascended  the  Patuxent,  apparently 
with  the  intention  of  attackina;  commodore  r>arnev*s  ilo- 
25* 


%ii%  ■ 


f;;*.! 


\n 


*  .  I' 


'•mm^: 


K    I 


* 


^94 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


tilla,  wliich  had  takeii  refiige  at  the  head  of  tliat  river, 
but  vvitli  th»i  real  intention,  as  it  was  soon  discovered,  of 
attaclvin^  Wasli'n^i-on.  They  proceeded  to  Benedict, 
which  they  reached  on  the  nineteenth  of  Auj^ust,  and  by 
the  next  day,  lia(i  completed  the  debarkation  of  tlieir  land 
forces,  under  a;eneral  Ross,  to  the  number  of  six  thousand; 
on  the  twenty-first  they  moved  towards  Nottin«rhani,  and 
on  the  following;  day  reached  Marlboroufijh.  The  British 
flotilla,  consisting  of  launches  and  barges,  ascendina;  the 
river  under  Cockburn,  keeping  on  the  right  flank  of  the 
army.  The  day  following,  on  approaching  the  flotilla  of 
commodore  Barney,  it  was  set  fire  to  by  sailors  left  for 
the  purpose,  the  commodore  having  already  joined  gene- 
ral Winder  with  his  men. 

General  Winder  was  at  this  time,  while  the  enemy 
was  within  twenty  miles  of  the  capital,  at  the  head  of  (lo 
more  than  three  thousand  men;  fifteen  hundred  of  whom 
were  militia  just  drawn  into  camp.  The  Baltimore  mili- 
tia had  not  yet  arrived,  and  those  from  Annapolis,  and 
the  Virginia  detachment,  were  on  their  way.  The  gene- 
ral's camp  was  at  the  Woodyard;  he  was  still  in  doubt 
whether  tlie  British  intended  an  attack  upon  fort  War- 
burton,  which  could  make  but  little  resistance  to  the  land 
forces,  but  could  be  formidable  to  the  ships  of  the  enemy, 
or  intended  to  march  directly  to  Washington.  The  first 
was  certainly  the  safest  mode  of  attack  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  and  that  he  did  not  make  it,  can  only  \/e  account- 
ed for,  from  his  perfect  knowledge  of  the  incapacity  of 
the  city  at  this  moment  for  defence.  The  city  could 
make  no  defence,  but  that  of  repelling  the  assailants 
in  the  open  field:  the  only  hope  was  in  taking  advan- 
tageous positions  in  the  broken  ground,  bordered  'vith 
woods,  along  the  road  through  which  they  had  to  pass; 
but,  as  their  numbers  were  such  as  to  enable  them  to 
push  out  flanking  parties,  this  would  not  avail  in  the 
end.  The  only  mode  of  resisting  them  effectually,  would 
have  been  by  interposing  sufficient  numbers,  to  compel 
them  to  repeated  engagements,  and  to  harass  their  flanks 
and  threaten  their  rear.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  twen- 
ty-second, the  British  amy  again  set  out,  and  after 
with  the  Americans,  halted  for  the   niglit, 


skirmishing 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


29J 


that  rive;-. 
:overe(l,  of 
Benedict, 
ust,  anil  by 
;  their  land 
X  thousand; 
iijrham,  and 
rhe  British 
:endini!;  the 
lank  of  the 
)c  flotilla  of 
lors  left  for 
oincd  gene- 

thc  enemy 
» head  of  (i(» 
?id  of  whom 
timore  mili* 
tiapolis,  and 
The  gene- 
ill  in  doubt 
[1  fort  War- 
i  to  the  land 
f  the  enemy, 
1.    The  first 
i  part  of  the 
iie  account- 
ricapacity  of 
city  could 
assailants 
cing:  advaii- 
rdered    -vith 
had  to  pass; 
3le  them  to 
avail  in  the 
ually,  would 
s,  to  compel 
their  flanks 
of  the  twen- 
t,  and  after 
r  the  niglit, 


five  miles  in  advance  of  Marlborough.  General  Win- 
der now  retired  oy  the  Woodyard,  where  he  had  before 
encamped,  to  a  place  called  the  Old  Fields,  which  co- 
vered Bladensburgh,  the  bridges  on  the  Eastern  Branch 
an.l  fort  Warbu'ton;  for  it  was  uncertain  which  of  these 
directions  the  enemv  intended  to  pursue.  Colonel  Mon- 
roe, the  secretary  of  state  had  been  with  him  for  several 
(jays,  assisting  with  his  counsel,  and  actively  engaged  in 
reconnoitring  the  enemy;  on  the  evening  he  was  joined 
by  the  president  and  heads  c "  departments,  who  remain- 
ed until  the  next  evening.  The  anxious  and  painful 
situation  of  tlie  general,  rendered  him  desirous  of  bene- 
fiting by  tlie  counsel  of  the  first  ofticers  of  the  nation; 
and  their  uneasiness  in  the  urgency  of  the  moment,  in- 
duced them  to  hazard  their  opinions,  perhaps  too  freely, 
in  matters  merely  executive.  In  a  critical  moment, 
where  prompt  decision  is  necessary,  too  many  minds, 
suggesting  their  various  expedients,  do  more  harm  than 
good.  But  this  was  an  interference,  considering  the  anx- 
iety of  the  moment,  for  which  no  one  can  be  blamed.  On 
the  twenty-third,  major  Peter  was  detached  with  some 
field  pieces,  and  captains  Davidson  and  Stull's  compa- 
nies, to  skirmish  with  the  enemy  near  Marlborough,  who 
advanced  on  him,  and  took  a  position  near  Old  Fields, 
menacing  it  with  an  attack  either  that  night  or  early  in 
the  morning.  Apprehensive  of  a  night  attack,  which 
might  be  fatal  to  iiim,  general  Winder  retired  to  the 
city,  intending  to  clioose  a  position  between  it  and  Bla- 
densburgh,  where  he  could  oppose  the  enemy  with  his 
whole  force. 

On  the  evening  before,  general  Stansbury  arrived  with 
his  brigade,  at  Bladensburgh,  after  a  very  fatiguing 
march,  and  immediately  despatched  his  aid,  major  Wood- 
year,  witli  the  intelligence;  and  on  the  evening  following, 
was  joined  by  colonel  Sterett's  regiment,  five  hundred 
strong,  and  a  rifle  battalion  under  major  Pinkney,  late 
atwOrney-general  of  tlie  United  States.  His  command 
amounted  to  two  thousand  men.  About  twelve  o'clock 
at  night,  the  secretary  of  state  arrived  at  the  general's 
quarters,  and  communicating  the  circumstance  of  the 
pnemy's  advance  on  ji;eneral  Winder,  advised  him  to  fall 


Hi 


mm 


•ft'-' 
■  i^ ; 

■ .-  *»<■  , 
'    :.f<  " 


i 


i: 
1 


^9G 


lilSTORV  OF  TIIK  WAR. 


in  the  ciioiny's  roar  linnKMliatcIy;  l)ut  the  t^oiieral  ob- 
jectetl,  on  the  scoie  of  having  bee»»  ordered  to  this  post, 
'iiiul  besides,  that   liis  men  wert  .luch   harassed  and 

fati«;,ucd  by  their  niateli,  a  considerable  portion  having 
just  arrived,  tliat  it  would  be  impossible.  During  the 
iii^ht,  seveial  false  alarms  vvcie  ji:;iven,  by  which  the 
troops  were  |)revented  from  takinj*;  repose,  which  they 
so  much  required  after  their  fatigues,  to  the  greater  part 
of  them  unaccustomed.  On  the  receipt  of  the  intelli- 
gence of  the  retreat  of  general  Winner,  Stansbury,  in 
consultation  with  his  officers,  determined  to  move  towards 
the  city.  Hefore  day,  he  crossed  the  bridge,  and  after 
securing  his  rear,  halted  for  a  few  hours.  Early  in  the 
morning  he  again  moved  forward,  with  a  view  of  taking 
possession  of  some  ground  for  defence,  when  orders  were 
received  iVom  general  Winder,  to  give  battle  to  the  ene- 
my iit  liladensburgh;  he  therefore  retraced  his  steps, 
and  between  icri  and  eleven  o'clock  the  troops  were 
halted  in  an  orchard  field,  to  the  left  of  the  road  from 
Washington  to  that  place.  About  this  time,  colonel 
Monroe,  at  the  request  of  general  Winder  and  of  the 
president,  reached  the  brigade  of  general  Stansbury,  and 
ollered  his  assistance  in  formin";  the  brigade,  so  as  to  dis- 
pute the  pass  w  ith  the  enemy;  liis  aid  was  thnnkfully  ac- 
cepted; the  enemy  was  then  within  three  miles,  in  full 
march. 

The  best  arrangements  the  time  would  pern\it,  were 
made.  About  five  hundred  yards  from  the  bridge,  the 
artillery,  consisting  of  six  six-pounders,  under  the  com- 
mand of  captains  Myers  and  Magruder,  was  posted  be- 
hind a  kind  of  breast-work;  mryor  Pinkney's  riliemen 
were  placed  in  ambush  to  the  right  and  left,  so  as  to  an- 
noy'he  enemy  in  attempting  to  ford  the  stream,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  suppc.t  the  artillery.  The  fifth  regi- 
ment was  drawn  Uj»  about  fifty  yards  in  the  rear;  and 
atferwards,  perhaps  unjudiciously,  removed  much  fur- 
ther; the  olher  par^s  of  the  brigade  were  so  disposed,  as 
to  support  the  artillery,  and  annoy  the  enemy  in  his  ap- 
proach. Shortly  aftei'  this  order  was  formed,  major  Beall 
anived  with  about  five  hundred  men  from  Annapolis, 
and  was  posted  higher  up  in  a  wood  on  the  right  of  the 


le 


lariie 


coin 

were 

ton  I 

of  the 

oftl 

to  ra 

but  u 

ment 

be  br( 

no  tr 

bee  an 

follow 

tiller 

upon 

volun 


upon 
chard, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  \VAR. 


sor 


»o{ul.  Gencni!  \Viii(l(»r,  by  this  time,  lia<l  hrouoht  up  the 
main  boily,  and  fornu'il  if  in  a  line  to  the  right  and  left  of 
the  i()a<l,  in  the  rear  of  S(an^>bury's  brigade,  and  the  (Ic- 
tacliinent  under  Jieall,  with  the  heavy  artiUery,  under 
commodore  IJaiiiey,  posted  on  an  eminence  near  tlie  road. 
Tiiis  line  had  scarcely  been  formed,  when  the  cnjjagc- 
ment  comnuMiced,  and  the  president  and  heads  of  de- 
partments, wh(»  liad  until  now  been  present,  withth'ew; 
(he  |)r(  sident  conceivin:»;  it  proper  to  leave  the  direction 
of  the  combat  to  the  military  men. 

Ab;)'it  twelve  o'clock,  the  enemy's  column  made  its 
appearance  on  the  hill  wiiich  overhangs  the  stream,  and 
nK)>ed  down  towards  the  bridge,  throwing  lockets,  and 
a[>j>arently  determined  lo  force  the  passage.  He  now 
ujaile  an  attempt  to  throw  a  strong  body  of  iidantry  across 
the  stream,  but  a  few  well  directed  shot  from  the  artil- 
leiy,  cleared  the  bridtic,  and  compelled  the  eneiny  pre- 
cipitately to  shelter  himself  behind  some  houses  near  it, 
and  apparently  having  sulfered  considerably.  The  fire 
Mas  briskly  kept  up,  and  aiier  a  (  onsiderable  pause,  a 
large  column  rapidlj-  advanced  in  the  face  of  the  batte- 
ry, which,  although  managed  with  great  spirit  by  oflicers 
of  acknowledged  skill  and  courage,  was  unable  to  .  - 
press  them;  they  still  continued  to  push  forward  theii' 
column,  which  was  constantly  reinforced,  until  they 
Mere  able  to  form  a  considerable  body  on  the  Washing- 
ton road.  The  enemy  had  not  advanced  far,  when  a  part 
of  the  rifle  corps  discluirged  their  pieces  an<l  fled,  in  spite 
of  tiie  ertbrts  of  their  commander,  and  of  major  Pinkney, 
to  rally  them.  The  lemainder  beL';r.;i  their  fire  too  fioon, 
but  uith  some  cxeeurion.  The  Brltisli  M'ere  every  mo- 
ment drawing  nearer  tiie  artillery,  Mhich  could  no  longer 
be  brought  to  bear  upon  them;  and  besides,  there  were 
no  trooj)S  sUiFiciently  near  to  aftbrd  a  support;  it  then 
became  unavoidably  necessary  for  it  to  retire,  and  was 
followed  by  major  Pinkney's  riflemen.  One  piece  of  ar- 
tillery Mas  spiked  and  left  behind.  The  whole  fell  back 
upon  the  fifth  regiment,  the  nearest  rallying  point.  A 
volunteer  company  of  artillery  now  opened  a  cross  fire 
upon  the  enemy,  who  were  advancing  through  the  or- 
chard, but  with  not  much  effect;  but,  nom  the  shelter  of 


„o 


'.I 


i  f» 


'k 


•J 


('■;..) 


^i   I 


■■     i;'*J 


298 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


the  frees,  they  wore  enabled  to  open  a  gallinjo;  fire  upon 
the  fifth  reeiin<^nt.  Colonel  Sterctt  was  ordered  to  ad- 
vance, which  he  did  promptly,  until  again  halted  in  con- 
scfiuence  of  the  other  two  regiments,  of  Stanbury's  bri- 
gade, having  been  thrown  into  confusion  by  rockets,  and 
f'.iving  begun  to  give  way.  In  a  few  moments,  thev  took 
<o  flight,  in  despite  of  the  exertions  of  general  Winder, 
of  general  Stansbury,  and  other  ofticers,  to  rally  them. 
Sterett's  regiment,  liurch's  artillery,  and  major  Pink- 
iiey's  riflemen,  still  maintained  their  ground  with  great 
firmness,  and  evinced  a  disposition  to  make  a  gallant  re- 
sistance; but  the  enemy  having  by  this  time  outflanked 
ihem,  they  were  ordered  to  retire;  this  was  unfortunately 
effected  in  confusion  and  disorder,  the  unavoidable  con- 
sequence with  militia,  in  its  retreat.  Thus  the  first  line 
was  completely  routed.  The  Baltimore  artillery  had  be- 
fore this  taken  a  position  higher  up  on  the  hill.  On  the 
right,  colonels  Beale  and  Hood,  commanding  tiie  Annapo- 
lis militia,  had  thrown  forward  a  small  detachment  under 
colonel  Kramer,  which,  after  maintaining  its  ground 
some  time,  with  considerable  injury  to  the  enemy,  re- 
tired upon  the  main  body.  Soon  aft(?r  the  retreat  of  this 
detachment,  the  enemy's  column,  marchirig  along  the 
turnpike  road,  was  suddenly  exposed  to  the  fire  of  com- 
modore Barney,  who  opened  an  eighteen-pounder  upon 
them,  and  instantly  cleared  the  road;  in  several  attempts 
to  rally,  they  were  again  repulsed  ^^ith  great  loss.  In 
consequence  of  this,  they  attempted  to  flank  the  Ameri- 
can line  to  the  right,  by  passing  through  an  open  field; 
but  this  was  frustrated  by  captain  Miller,  with  three 
twelves,  and  his  marines.  The  enemy  continuing  flank- 
ing to  the  right,  and  pressed  upon  the  militia  of  Annapo- 
lis, who  fled,  after  giving  an  ineffectual  fire.  The  com- 
mand of  commodore  Barney  was  left  to  maintain  the  con- 
test alone;  but  the  enemy  no  longer  appeared  in  front; 
he  continued  to  outflank,  pushing  forward  a  few  scatter- 
ing sharp-shooters,  by  which  the  commodore  was  wound- 
ed, and  his  horse  killed  under  him,  while  several  of  his 
ofiicers  and  men  fell  near  him.  His  corps  was  by  this 
time  outflanked  on  both  sides,  and  in  the  contusion,  the 
ammunition  wagons  had  been  driven  oft'.    His  men  were 


IIISTOUY  OF  THE  WAR. 


iiyy 


fire  upon        I 
•cd  to  ail- 
;(l  in  con- 
>ury*H  bri- 
ckets,  and 
tl'.ey  took 
I  Winder, 
•ally  them, 
jor'  Pink- 
with  great 
gr.Uant  re- 
outttankcd 
fortunately 
dable  con- 
ic first  line 
cry  had  be- 
ll.   On  the 
he  Annapo- 
nient  under 
its   ground 
enemy,  re- 
treat of  this 
long  the 
ire  of  com- 
undcr  upon 
al  attempts 
it  loss.     In 
the  Ameri- 
open  field; 
with  three 
nuing  flank- 
of  Annapo- 
The  com- 
ain  the  con- 
3d  in  front; 
few  scatter- 
was  wound- 
ivcral  of  his 
was  by  this 
mtusion,  the 
is  men  were 


therefore  ordered  to  retreat,  the  commodore  himself  was 
taken  prisoner,  and  his  pieces  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enem}', 

'rhe  Georgetown  and  city  militia,  and  the  regulars, 
»till  remained  firm,  having  been  stati(»ned  in  the  rear  of 
tlie  second  line,  in  positions  the  most  convenient  for  an- 
noving  the  enemy,  and  supporting  the  other  corps.    These 
being  in  danger  every  moment  of  being  outranked,  or- 
ders were  sent  to  genera!  Smith,  to  retreat  towards  the 
city.     Had  the  state  of  the  British  troops  been  known, 
ihis  order  would  have  been  highly  injudicious;  it  has  since 
appeared,  that  they  were  at  this  moment,  fainting  with 
fatigue,  and  that,  supposing  the  whole  of  the  American 
force  routed,  they  had  only  pushed  forward  a  detachment 
of  their  army;  there  is  no  telling  what  effect  might  have 
bee!i  produced,  by  their  coming  thus  suddenly  in  contact 
with  what  would  have  appeared  the  main  body  of  the 
Americans.      After  proceeding  a  few  hundred   paces, 
thev  were  joined  by  a  regiment  of  Virginia  militia,  which 
haci  arrived  in  the  city  the  evening  before,  but  Imd  not 
been  ready  till  now  to  take  the  field.     General  Winder 
still  entertained  hopes  of  being  able  to  rally  his  troops, 
and  of  fighting  the  enemy  between  this  place  and  Wash- 
ington; he  had  ordered  the  Baltimore  artillery  to  move 
on  towards  the  city,  and  expected  to  find  that  the  cavalry 
and  Stansbury's  command,  had  fallen  down  the  road  to 
that  place;  he  thought  that  they  might  yet  be  rallied  on 
the  regulars,  and  city  and  Georgetown  troops,  so  as  to 
make  another  struggle  to  save  the  capital.     With  this 
view,  he  rode  forward  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a  po- 
sition, but  he  soon  found,  that  instead  of  moving  towards 
Washington,  they  had  scattered  in  every  direction,  and, 
as  it  afterwards  appeared,  the  greater  part  had  fled  to- 
wards Montgomery  court-house.      No  words  can  pourj 
tray  the  griet  of  the  city  and  Georgetown  militia,  at  being 
thus  compelled  to  retire,  without  having  had  the  slightest 
opportunity  of  defending  their  fire-sides  and  their  homes. 
On  arriving  at  the  city,  the  general  was  met  by  the  sec- 
retary at  war,  and  the  secretary  of  state,  and  after  a  con- 
sultation, it  was  agreed,  that,  with  the  small  remains  of 
the  army,  it  was  in  vain  to  think  of  making  a  stand;  the 


300 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I 


few  scaitortMl  villaf>;os  \viricli  compose  the  city,  ocnipy- 
iiia;  an  extensive  open  plain,  there  was  no  position  to  be 
taken,  at  which  the  enemy  'nij^lit  i>e  opposed,  and  the 
Capitol  was  a  detached  buildinj^,  which  could  be  easily 
set  on  tire;  and  even  if  troops  were  stationed  in  it,  they 
rould  !K>i  prevent  the  enemy  from  procecdini;  to  any 
])art  of  the  citv  thev  mi^ht  choose  to  assail.  It  >vas  there- 
tore  proposed  to  rally  the  troops  on  the  heij^hts  of  Geor^e- 
lown.  But  the  general  soon  found,  that  but  few  of  the 
militia  could  be  collected,  the  greater  part  had  strayed 
o\Y  in  search  of  food  or  refreshment,  after  haviny;  suf- 
fered much  during  the  day;  and  others  were  almost  ex- 
hausted, after  the  privations  and  fatigues  which  they  had 
experienced.  The  next  day  he  proceeded,  with  such  as 
he  could  collect,  to  Montgomery. 

Thus  did  we  experience  the  mortification  of  having 
our  capital  enteretl  by  a  hostile  army.  The  wound  to 
our  national  pride  was  great;  for  it  was  more  a  matter  of 
feeling  than  of  actual  injury.  It  was  at  most  but  a  des- 
perate bravado  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  who  was  com- 
j)elled  to  retire  as  rapidly  as  lie  had  approached,  and 
which  had  no  effect  upon  the  contest,  otlier  than  to  ex- 
asperate the  people  of  this  country,  and  of  disposing  both 
parties  to  join  in  carrying  on  the  war.  To  use  the  com- 
mon language,  it  was  the  name  of  the  thing  which 


duced  mortification;  for  there  was  nothing  wondei 


n  pro- 
•ful  in 

a  large  body  of  veteran  troops  stealing  a  march  upon  a 
new  and  unfortified  town,  and  defeating  an  equal  num- 
ber of  raw  militia.     The  greater  part  of  our  force  ar- 
rived on  the  spot  so  short  a  time  before  the  battle,  as  not 
to  have  been  permitted  to  take  even  some  slight  repose 
after  their  fatigue;  the  different  corps  and  their  officers 
were  unknown  to  each  other,  and  to  the  commander; 
the  arrangements  for  meeting  a  powerfi^l  regular  force, 
had  to  be  made  at  the  very  moment  of  battle.    That  we 
should  have  been  defeated  under  such  circumstances,  is 
not  to  be  wondered  at,  and  furnishes  no  inference  unfa- 
vourable to  militia,  or  to  the  officers  who  commanded. 
The  British  force  would  probably  have  met  with  the  same 
success,  had  it  movetl  at  that  moment  against  any  of  the 
larger  cities,  which  were  no  more  aware  of  their  danger 


that 
or  foi 
for  a 
ingtor 
and  h; 
half 
the  he 
to  rec 
by  Gr- 
tropoli 
withoi 
houses 
and  tw 
of  arcl 
unfinis 
dent's 
Europe 
these 


HISTORY  OF  TItE  WAR. 


sOi 


y,  occuj.y- 
tioii  to  bo 
I,  and  tlu', 

be  easily 

in  it,  they 

ng  to  any 

\vas  tlierc- 
of  Geovjie- 
few  of  tl>o 
ad  strayed 
bavin;;  sut- 
almost  cx- 
:h  tbcy  bad 
\[i\\  sucb  as 

I  of  baving 
,e  wound  to 
a  matter  of 
;t  but  a  des- 
10  was  com- 
Dacbed,  and 
tban  to  ex- 
posing botb 
se  tlie  coni- 
wbicb  pro- 
onderful  in 
arcb  upon  a 
equal  nunv- 
lur  force  ar- 
lattle,  as  not 
ligbt  repose 
heir  oflicers 
commander; 
jvular  force, 
Tbatvve 
mstances,is 
.rence  unfa- 
Icommanded. 
ith  the  same 
,i  any  of  the 
heir  danger 


tlian  AVasliinftton.  The  president  and  beads  of  depart- 
nients,  on  reviewing  tbe  force  brought  out  for  defence, 
despaired  of  success,  and  set  about  removing  the  ar- 
chives of  the  government.  The  severe  censure  passed 
on  general  Winder,  who  had  been  unfortunate,  but  al- 
ways meritorious,  was  highly  unjust.  Success  is  not  tbe 
proper  criterion  in  all  cases;  in  Turkey  it  is  regarded  as 
such;  but  tyranny  of  no  kind  should  find  its  way  into 
America.  Tit  is  the  <luty  of  tiie  historian  to  rescue  worth 
from  the  unmerited  condemnation  of  the  hour,  or  the 
abusive  virulence  of  party  spirit.  The  ablest  generals 
have  at  times  been  placed  in  situations,  where  courage, 
and  genius,  were  alike  unavailing.  If  general  Winder 
erred,  his  errours  must  be  shared  l)y  some  of  the  greatest 
men  of  our  countiy.  Vetw  ])ossess  more  acknowledged 
merit  and  ability;  and  he  is  entitled  to  the  applause  of 
his  fellovv-citi/.ens  for  his  conduct,  at  a  moment  when  he 
required  assistance;  he  abandoned  a  profession  in  which 
be  was  eminently  distingviisliod,  and  sacrificed  a  lucrative 
practice,  and,  almost  to  the  ruin  of  ids  fortune,  embarke<l 
in  the  cause  of  his  country. 

The  loss  of  the  British,  in  this  expedition,  was  little 
short  of  a  thousand  men,  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing; 
that  of  the  Americans,  ten  or  twelve  killed,  and  thirty 
or  forty  wounded.  General  lloss,  after  baiting  his  army 
for  a  sliort  time  for  refreshments,  puslied  on  to  Wash- 
ington, where  be  arrived  that  evening  about  eight  o'clock; 
and  having  stationed  his  main  body  about  a  mile  and  an 
half  from  the  capital,  he  entered  the  deserted  city,  at 
the  head  of  about  seven  hundred  men.  We  have  now 
to  record  the  climax  of  that  vandal  barbarity,  exhibited 
by  Great  Britain  durin^^  tins  war.  The  American  me- 
tropolis, or  more  properly  its  site,  was  entered  by  them 
without  opposition;  they  tbund  about  nine  hundred 
bouses,  scattered  in  groups  over  a  surface  of  three  miles, 
and  two  splendid  buildings,  probably  the  finest  specimens 
of  architecture  in  the  new  world;  the  capitol,  though  still 
unfinished,  presented  a  noble  structure;  and  the  presi- 
dent's house,  in  point  of  taste,  rivalling  any  building  in 
Europe.  13 v  the  adnurer  of  the  arts  of  every  country, 
these  splendid  editices  could  not  be  contemplated  witn*- 
26 


»  '1 


m 

m 


302 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


out  pleasure,  nor  their  destruction  \vithout  tlie  most  in- 
dignant feelings.  Admiral  Cockburii,  already  so  unfa- 
vourably known  in  the  United  States  for  the  species  of 
devastating  and  plundering  hostility  which  he  had  di- 
rected, now,  conjointly  with  general  Ross,  who,  on  this 
occasion,  withered  every  laurel  he  had  gained  in  honour- 
able M'ar,  issued  orders  for  the  conflagiation  of  these  no- 
ble edifices,  with  the  valuable  libraries  of  the  capitol,  and 
all  the  furniture  and  articles  of  taste  or  value,  which 
they  contained.  The  great  bridge  across  the  Potoinack, 
was  also  wantonly  burnt,  together  with  an  elegant  hotel, 
and  several  other  private  dwellings.  This  base  and  sa- 
vage destruction  is  detailed  in  the  official  letter  of  the 
British  general,  as  a  matter  of  perfect  indifference.  The 
blaze  pr  *duced  by  the  conflagration,  was  seen  even  in 
Baltimore,  giving  a  terrible  warning  to  its  inhabitants. 
All  that  was  combustible  about  the  capitol  and  the  presi- 
dent's house,  was  reduced  to  ashes,  and  the  walls  of  these 
stately  buildings,  blackened  and  broken  in  melancholy 
ruin,  remained  for  a  time,  the  monuments  of  British  bar- 
barity. The  American,  who  saw  them  long  after,  could 
scarcely  refrain  from  swearing  in  his  heart  eternal  ha- 
tred to  Britain.  "1  have  seen  the  walls  of  Balclutha,  but 
they  were  desolate;  the  fire  had  resounded  in  their 
halls." 

On  the  consultation  of  the  president  with  the  heads  of 
departments,  it  was  resolved  to  destroy  the  publick  stores 
at  the  navy  yard,  to  prevent  them  from  falling  into  the 
enemy's  hands;  on  the  retreat,  the  publick  buildings, 
stores,  and  vessels  were  set  on  fire,  and  consequently 
destroyed,  with  the  exception  of  tlie  schooner  Lynx, 
which  escaped  in  an  extraordinary  manner.  W  hat  re- 
mained, was  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  who  took  particu- 
lar pains  to  mutilate  the  beautiful  monument  erected  in 
honour  of  the  naval  heroes  who  fell  at  Tripoli.  The 
plundering  of  private  hcjuses  was  not  carried  on  to  the 
extent  that  might  have  been  expected,  probably  from  the 
shortness  of  the  time  which  they  remained;  they  retreat- 
ed precipitately  the  next  evening.  It  was  now  conjec- 
tured, that  they  meant  to  proceed  immediately  to  Balti- 
more; the  inhabitants  at  tliat  place  were  in  the  greatest 


The 

cond 

whet 

requi 

whar 

deliv^ 

been 

what 

scend 

In  thi 

by  oui 

diffici 

battel 

Hung( 

Huiu|' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


03 


OUv> 


consternation,  which  the  arrival  of  the  city  militia,  from 
the  field  of  battle,  was  not  likely  to  allay.  A  moment 
of  silent,  gloomy  despondency  prevailed,  which  cannot 
be  described.  In  the  midst  of  this  dishearteninj^  panick, 
the  citizens,  notwithstanding,  rejected  all  thouj^hts  of  ca- 
pitulation, and  under  generals  Smith  and  Strieker,  they 
prepared  themselves  to  oppose  the  enemy,  and  in  all  pro- 
bability, they  would  have  made  that  desperate  resistance, 
wliich  renders  even  inexperienced  troops  superionr  to 
veterans,  when  fijchtins:  for  their  families  and  their  homes. 
General  Winder,  with  all  the  force  he  could  collect,  pro- 
ceeded rapidly  to  Baltimore;  by  this  time,  however,  it 
appeared  tliat  the  British  had  retired  to  their  shipping. 

The  squadron  under  captain  Gordon,  consisting  of 
eight  sail,  passed  fort  Warburton  two  days  after  the  re- 
treat of  the  British.  The  fort  had  been  abandoned  and 
blown  up  by  captain  Dyson,  in  a  most  extraordinary 
manner;  probably  under  the  influence  of  the  dreadful  pa- 
nick  which  generally  prevailed.  His  orders  had  been 
to  abandon  it  only,  in  case  of  an  attack  by  the  land  forces, 
but  on  a  mere  rumour,  and  without  waiting  the  enemy's 
approach,  he  thougiit  proper  to  take  this  measure.  ()n 
the  twenty-ninth,  the  squadron  reached  Alexandria;  and 
the  inhabitants  of  that  place  being  completely  in  the  pow- 
er of  the  captain,  were  compelled  to  offer  terms  for  the 
preservation  of  the  town  from  conflagration  and  pillage. 
The  insatiable  avarice  of  the  enemy  imposed  the  hardest 
conditions:  all  the  merchandise  of  every  description, 
whether  in  town,  or  removed  since  the  nineteenth,  was 
required  to  be  put  on  board  the  shipping,  then  at  the 
wharf,  at  the  expense  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  whole 
delivered  to  the  enemy;  that  even  such  vessels  as  had 
been  sunk,  should  be  delivered  up.  These  terms,  some- 
what modified,  were  complied  with;  and  the  captain  de- 
scended with  a  fleet  of  prize  vessels,  and  a  rich  booty. 
In  the  meantime,  preparations  had  been  made  in  haste, 
by  our  naval  heroes,  captains  Porter  and  Perry,  to  throw 
difficulties  in  the  way  of  his  descent.  The  first,  at  the 
battery  of  the  White  House,  was  assisted  by  general 
Hungerford's  brigade  of  Virginia  militia,  and  captain 
Huru|.hrey's  rifle  company;  and  at  the  battery  at  Indian 


'    I 


Mil 


f)4 


flifn'^j 


3G4 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR, 


li  I 


!» 


R-  . 


Head,  captain  Perry  was  supported  by  the  bri«;ade  oF 
j^eneral  Stewart,  and  the  volunteer  companies  of  nuijor 
Peter  and  captain  Burch.  From  tlie  third,  until  tlie  sixth 
of  September,  the  British  vessels  were  generally  annoyed 
in  ])assing  these  btitteries.  Frequent  atteu»pts  were  also 
made  by  coniniodore  Jlodgers,  by  approaching  the  tleei 
Avith  fireve^iiels;  but  owing  to  a  change  of  wind,  they 
proved  ineffectual.  These  respective  forces  were  altei- 
wards  concentrated  under  comiiiodore  Rodgers,  at  yVleiv- 
andriaj  he  determined  to  defend  the  place,  should  tl;e 
enemy,  who  was  not  yet  out  of  the  siii;ht  of  the  batterv, 
iMink  proper  to  return. 

Sir  Peter  Parker,  who  a-cended  the  Chesapeake,  was 
not  so  fortunate  as  the  other  officers,  lie  lauded  at  niglit 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Moor's  Fields,  witii  the  view  of 
-urprising  a  party  of  militia,  encamped  under  the  coni- 
luaiul  of  colonel  Reed.  In  this  he  was  disappointed,  fi/i- 
the  militia  having  heard  tiie  approach  of  the  barii;es,  were 
prepared  to  receive  him.  Sir  I'eter  Paiker  having  land- 
ed, moved  forward  at  the  head  of  about  tvvo  hundred  and 
iifty  men;  but  on  approaching  within  seventy  yards  of 
thc!  Americans,  they  received  a  heavy  fire;  he  endea- 
voured to  piess  forward  on  the  centre  of  the  line;  in  tl  is 
he  Vv'as  foiled,  and  threw  himself  on  the  tiank,  where  he 
was  also  repulsed.  Colonel  Reed  being  informed,  that 
the  cartridges  were  neaily  expended,  ordered  hii  men 
to  retire  a  small  distance,  until  they  could  be  supplied. 
In  tl'.e  meantime,  the  British  having  sul!ered  a  severe 
loss,  thought  proper  to  retire;  carrying  with  them  the 
wounded,  among  whom  was  sir  Peter  Parker,  who  died 
soon  after. 

The  capture  of  Washington,  we  have  seen,  excited  the 
most  painful  sensations  throughout  the  United  States; 
the  indignant  feelings  of  the  people  were  at  first  levelled 
against  the  whole  administration,  but  soon  settled  in  lay- 
ing the  blame  of  the  aifair  on  the  secretary  at  wai-,  and 
general  Winder.  We  are  willing  to  throw  the  blame  any 
where,  sooner  than  acknowledge  ourselves  in  the  fault. 
It  was  not  the  fault  of  the  secretary  at  \ar  that  the  mi- 
litia could  not  be  called  out,  nor  was  it  the  fault  of  gene- 
ral Winder,  that  the  greater  piirt  of  his  troops  would  not 


m 


'\:\w' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


30J 


..i^ik 


of  vnajor 
I  the  sixth 
y  aiinoyc'l 

^vc^•e  also 

the  tker 
wiiui,  thi'V 
,ere  al'Ui- 
s,  at  Aleiv- 
b1u)uM  th« 
he  battery, 

peake,  Nva* 
led  at  nij^lit 
the  view  ot 
r  the  corn- 
pointed,  {'i' I* 
,ar?i,e^,  were 
iuuiig  huul- 
Luudied  and 
ity  yards  of 
;  he  endea- 
line;  in  tl  is 
k,  where  he 
01  mecS,  that 
[ed  hi'i  ipeii 
Ibe  supplied, 
d  a  severe 
h  them  tlie 
r,  who  died 

excited  the 
iited  State;^; 
hrst  levelled 
Ittled  in  lay- 
lat  war,  and 
ke  blame  any 
[in  the  fault, 
that  the  mi- 
lult  of  j^ene- 
is  would  not 


stand  their  ground;  nor  was  the  administration  to  blame 
in  not  foreseeing  the  events  of  Kurope,  which  no  man  in 
the  world  ever  conceived.  The  president  was  abused  in 
tJie  newspapers  of  the  day,  for  not  suffering  himself  to  be 
shot  by  tlie  enemy,  ov  at  least  taken  prisoner.  He  did 
all,  and  more  than  his  station,  or  years,  required.  What 
could  he  have  done,  after  the  city  was  abandoned  by  the 
American  troops?  The  question  is  ridiculous.  l{e  re- 
turned immediately  to  the  city  after  it  had  been  evacu- 
ated by  the  ene?ny,  and  from  its  smoking  ruins  issued  a 
proclamation,  which  did  honour  to  his  heart  and  head, 
and  which  tended  to  raise  the  desponding  mind  of  his 
country.  Against  the  secretary  at  war,  the  cry  was  every 
where  so  loud,  that  the  president,  from  motives  of  pi'u- 
dence,  intimated  to  him  the  propriety  of  suspending  his 
functions  tor  a  time;  this  his  pride  would  not  permit  him 
to  do,  and  he  therefore  resigned.  It  appears  from  tlie 
ofHcial  letter  of  general  Ross,  since  published,  that  he 
had  not  conceived  the  idea  of  the  attacK  on  Washington, 
until  within  sixteen  miles  of  it,  and  informed  of  its  de- 
fenceless state;  that  the  destruction  of  commodore  Bar- 
ney's flotilla  had  been  his  real  and  sole  object.  It  was 
on  his  part,  notwithstanding,  a  piece  of  unparalleled  rash- 
ness, without  a  commensurate  advantage  to  be  gained. 
From  the  improbability  of  the  attempt,  it  is  said,  that  the 
secretary  at  war  could  not  be  persuaded,  until  the  last 
moment,  that  it  was  seriously  intended.  General  Win- 
der demanded  an  examination  of  his  conduct,  and  a  court, 
of  which  general  Scott  was  president,  honourably  acquit- 
ted him. 

The  character  of  Great  Britain  will  not  soon  recover 
from  the  infamy  cast  upon  it,  in  consequence  of  the  viola- 
tions of  the  laws  of  civilized  warfare,  committed  on  our 
coast.  The  conflagration  of  Washington,  and  the  plun- 
der of  Alexandria,  not  to  mention  the  despicable  species 
of  bucaniering  practised  on  the  defenceless  inhabitants, 
are  without  a  parallel  in  modern  wars.  Napoleon,  whom 
the  British  denouiinate  the  modern  Atilla,  entered  the  ca~ 
pitals  of  the  principal  nations  of  Europe,  but  was  never 
disgraced  by  such  wanton  and  unjustifiable  destruction 
These  acts,  grossly  barbarous  as  they  are,  assumed  still  a 
26* 


M 


'i.n 


1   .- '  1 ' 


(iM 


^•&f 


m 


mi 

\ri 


'  ..  ■'», 


306 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


deeper  infamy  by  the  effrontery  and  faUehood  with  which 
they  were  justified.  A  letter  from  admiral  Cochrane  to 
the  secretary  of  state,  dated  the  day  previous  to  debarka- 
tion, though  not  delivered  until  after  the  burning  of  the 
capitol,  stated,  that  having  been  called  upon  by  the  gover- 
nour-general  of  the  Canadas,  to  aid  him  in  carrying  into 
effect  measures  of  retaliation  against  the  inhabitants  of 
the  United  States,  for  the  wanton  destruction  committed 
by  the  army  in  Upper  Canada,  it  became  imperiously  his 
duty,  conformably  with  the  nature  of  the  governour-gene- 
ral's  application,  to  issue  to  the  naval  force  under  his  com- 
mand, an  order  to  destroy  and  lay  waste  such  towns  and 
districts  upon  the  coast,  as  might  be  found  assailable. 

The  secretary  of  state,  colonel  Monroe,  had  no  other 
difficulty  in  answering  this  extraordinary  letter,  than  such 
as  arose  from  the  shocking  depravity,  which  could  thus 
unblushingly  publish  its  falsehoods  in  the  face  of  day. 
He  could  with  truth  reply,  that  in  no  instance  had  the 
United  States  authorised  a  deviation  from  the  known  usa- 
ges of  war;  that  in  the  few  cases  in  which  there  had  been 
even  a  charge  against  them,  the  government  had  formally 
disavowed  the  acts  of  its  officers,  at  the  same  time  sub- 
jecting the  conduct  of  such  officers  to  punishment  or  re- 
probation; that  amongst  those  few,  the  charge  of  burning 
the  parliament  house  in  Upper  Canada,  was  now  for  the 
first  time  brought  forward;  until  now,  such  an  accusation 
had  not  been  made  against  the  Americans;  on  the  contra- 
ry, one  of  the  most  respectable  civil  functionaries  at  that 
place,  had  addressed  a  letter  of  thanks  to  general  Dear- 
born, for  the  good  conduct  of  his  troops;*  and  moreover, 
that  when  sir  George  Prevost,  six  months  afterwards,  pro- 
fessedly proceeded  to  measures  of  retaliation,  the  affau*  of 
the  bricK-house  was  not  mentioned.  But  what  in  the 
meantime,  it  was  asked,  were  the  aftairs  of  the  river  Rai- 
sin, the  devastations  on  the  shores  of  lake  Champlain,  the 

*  The  malignant  fulsehoods  resorted  to  by  the  British  to  cover  their 
outrages,  are  truly  astoiushitig.  The  chancellor  of  the  exchequer  as- 
serted in  the  British  parliament,  that  the  Americans  at  Yoik,  "had  not 
only  burnt  the  house  of  the  governour,  but  also  every  house  belonging 
to  the  meanest  individual,  even  to  a  shell,  and  left  the  populace  in  a 
most  wretched  condition." 


Mora 

devotJ 

emplj 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


307 


conflagrations  and  plunderin^s   on  the  8ea-co..st;  were 
these  in   retaliation  for  burning  the   parliament  house? 
Was  this  building  of  such  immense  value,  as  to  render  it 
impossible  for  the  nation  to  atone  for  its  destruction?   But 
we  were  told,  that  there  were,  besides,  the  burning  of  a 
few  sheds  and  huts  at  J<ong  Point  and  St.  David's!    And 
were  not  these  unfortunate  acts  followed  up  by  instant  re- 
taliation on  the  part  of  the  British,  while  the  American 
officers  who  committed  them  were  dismissed  the  service 
of  their  country,  although  capable  of  pleadino;  the  uniform 
practice  of  the  enemy  in  excuse?*      Were  the  conflai»;ra- 
tions  in  the  Chesapeake  during  the  summer,  in  retaliation 
for  these  acts?  or  were  they  in  prospective  retaliation  for 
the  burning  of  Newark?    If  we  do  not  mistake,  the  avow- 
ed object  of  the  British  sjovernour  in  burning  four  or  five 
villages,  putting  a  garrison  to  the  sword,  and  laying  waste 
the  Niagara  frontier,  was  to  retaliate  the  burning  of  New- 
ark, an  act  the  American  government  so  promptly  disa- 
vowed.    Why  did  the  governour  of  Canada,  after  this, 
declare  to  the  world,  that  he  was  doubly  satisfied;  fiiat 
with  the  disavowal  of  our  government,  and  next  with 
this  ample  measure  of  retaliation?     Why  was  he  at  this 
very  moment  an  advocate  for  honouiable  warfare  on  the 
northern  frontier?      How  then  could  the  conflagration  of 
the  noble  buildings  at  W^ashington  be  in  retaliation  for 
the  burning  a  brick-house,  hired  for  the  temporary  occu- 
pation of  the  provincial  legislature,  or  for  the  burning  of 
Newark,  of  a  few  out-posts,  and  the  cabins  or  huts  of  hos- 
tile savages!     These,  by  the  admission  of  the  governour, 
had  already  been  four  times  expiated,  and  each  time  by 
an  increasing  measure  of  retaliation. 

Such  pretexts  are  too  absurd  to  impose  upon  the  most 
ignorant.  A  lamentable  barbarity  has  marked  the  con- 
duct of  the  British  in  the  war  throughout,  very  dift'erent 
from  that  of  the  United  States,  who  sincerely  endeavour- 
ed to  avoid  whatever  might  stand  in  the  way  to  the  most 
friendly  relations,  on  the  restoration  of  peace.    At  the 


s 


i'"  '*''  '>' 


*  The  burning  of  the  Indian  village  on  the  river  Thames,  called  the 
Moravians — not  the  Moravians  whom  our  countryman  Huckeuwclder 
devoted  his  life  to  civilize  and  improve,  but  a  horde  of  savaijcs  in  the 
employment  of  Great  Britain. 


308 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


very  openinj^  of  the  war,  the  British  oflicers  permitted  tiie 
savages  to  fight  by  tlieir  sides,  while  we  declined  their  aid; 
tliey  not  only  made  them  their  allies,  but  did  not  interfere 
to  prevent  their  commission  of  horrours,  whose  recital 
must  shock  every  sentiment  of  humanity.  When  the  Bri- 
tish admirals  visited  our  sea-coast,  and  no  complaints  had 
been  made  against  us;  when  the  complaints  were  on  our 
side;  when  there  could  not  have  been  even  a  pretended 

ftrete.vt  of  retaliation,  they  plundered  and  burnt  the  vil- 
ages  on  the  Chesapeake,  they  plundered  the  defenceless 
planters  of  their  stock,  of  their  negroes,  of  their  furniti'.re, 
and  at  Hampton  even  transcended  the  abominations  oi  the 
river  Raisin.  On  the  borders  of  Canada,  the  same  course 
of  burning  or  plundering  was  pursued,  and  under  the 
rage  excited  by  these  series  of  outrages,  an  Ameiican  of- 
ficer ventured  at  last,  under  a  misconstruction  of  t!ie  or- 
ders from  his  superiour,  to  destroy  an  English  village;  this 
unhappy  affair,  was  gladly  seized  as  the  pretext,  for  the 
jirst  avowed  retaliation,  and  in  consequence,  a  whole 
frontier  was  laid  waste!  Their  outrages,  until  this  time, 
were  without  pretext  for  retaliation.  In  the  meantime, 
what  was  their  treatment  to  American  prisoners,  and  to 
those  who  were  dragged  from  their  ships  to  be  enslaved, 
and  what  was  the  treatment  of  British  subjects  prisoners 
with  us?  What  pretext  of  retaliation  covers  the  violation 
of  neutral  ports,  in  the  capture  of  our  vessels  confiding  in 
their  sanctuary.^  What  pretexts  warrant  the  barbarous 
ciders  of  their  officers,  to  refuse  quarter  to  uien  oppo>:ed 
to  them  in  honourable  battle?  When  is  the  measure  of 
retaliation  to  be  filled,  for  a  few  unauthorised  acts  by  in- 
dividuals, acts  which  would  occur  in  the  best  regulated 
war?  It  now  appears  by  the  letter  of  admiral  ('ochrane 
that  nothing  short  of  the  entire  devastation  of  our  whole 
sea-coast,  containing  many  populous  cities,  and  several 
millions  of  people,  would  satisfy  this  unrelenting  enemy. 
No;  these  unfounded  pretexts  only  served  to  aggravate  the 
outrages  which  that  enemy  had  committed.  The  letter  of 
admiral  Cochrane  scarcely  deserved  the  notice  of  the  se- 
cretary of  state,  but  the  refutation  was  certainly  most  am- 
ple. It  is  impossible  to  suppose,  that  such  conduct  was 
not  as  severely  reprobated  by  the  great  mass  of  the  English 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


309 


people,  as  it  was  by  us.  The  minority  in  parliament  (who, 
by  the  by,  with  them  represents  the  majority  of  the  nation) 
prononnctj]  it  to  be  disj^ruceful  to  their  country. 

It  has  been  the  opinion  of  some,  that  our  government 
was  reprehensible  in  not  resorting,  at  an  early  period,  to 
Retaliatory  measures;  but  there  la  no  American  at  this 
day,  who  does  not  reflect  with  pleasure,  that  in  no  in- 
siaiice  did  our  government  resort  to  such  measures;  had 
the  war  continued  much  longer,  it  would  perhaps  iiave 
been  unavoidable.  It  is  ditiicult  to  refrain  from  drawin^:; 
a  coinpariiion  between  the  devastatin*;  order  of  admiral 
Cijcluane,  and  the  order  of  general  Brown,  issued  about 
the  same  time,  on  his  entering  ('anada.  "Upon  entering 
Canada,"  said  he,  "the  laws  of  war  will  govern:  men  found 
in  arms,  or  otherwise  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  enemy, 
will  be  treated  as  enemies;  those  behaving  peaceably,  and 
following  their  private  occupations,  will  be  treated  as 
tViends.  Private  property  wdl,  in  all  cases,  be  held  sa- 
cred; publick  property,  wherever  found,  will  be  sei'zed 
and  dispi>sed  of  by  the  commanding  general.  Any  plun- 
derers shall  be  punished  with  death,  who  shall  be  foumi 
violating  tliis  order." 


i 


i 


•i  '1 


1    : 


':>]>!!  W 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

bensatoiis  produced  by  the  capture  of  \Vashinp:tOii,  l-Airope,  and  in 
Eiit;l;uid — r-ffcct  of  this  event  in  tlie  United  States — (ilorious  defence 
of  Baitiniore— <The  retreat  of  the  British — Capture  of  the  Jiritish 
sqiiiuh'on  on  lake  Cliainjjlain— Repulse  of  sir  Georj^e  Prevost — 'J'he 
British  fleet  leuves  tlie  Chesapeake,  and  a  part  sails  to  the  south. 

A  HE  capture  of  Washington  was,  at  first,  boasted  of  by 
the  British  ministry,  as  a  most  signal  exploit;  but  it  was 
viewed  in  a  very  different  light  on  the  continent.  To  say 
nothing  of  the  prosecuting  hostilities  with  augmented  ri- 
gour, at  a  moment  when  there  was  a  negotiation  for  peace, 
the  wanton  acts  of  barbarity  roused  the  indignation  of 
all  the  powers  of  Europe;  and  in  the  British  parliament, 
so  great  a  sensation  was  excited,  as  to  cause  its  perpe- 


'.■>sWf 


310 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


trators  to  shelter  themselves  from  publick  odium,  by  the 
basest  falsehoods:  the  ministry  were  compelled  to  make  a 
statement,  tliat  instructions  had  been  sent  to  the  coast  ol 
America,  to  desist  from  further  inilictions  of  vengeance. 
But  if  the  eftect  was  powerful  abroad,  it  was  unexam- 

fded  throughout  the  United  States.  Party  spirit,  that  po- 
itical  fiend,  instantly  fled,  and  with  it  fled  the  dissensions 
which  almost  paralyzed  the  efforts  of  the  nation.  But  one 
voice  was  heard  from  one  end  of  the  continent  to  the 
other;  a  glorious  union  was  brought  about,  and  a  nation  of 
freemen  was  seen  to  rise  in  its  strength.  Those  who  had 
at  first  opposed  the  war,  from  an  opinion  of  its  impolicy, 
or  who  condemned  the  invasion  of  Canada,  now  saw  only 
a  powerful  nation  about  to  precipitate  her  armies  on  Ame- 
rica, with  the  avowed  intention  of  desolating  our  fair  pos- 
sessions. The  poison  of  political  dissensions,  was  uttad 
with  tke  political  death  ot  Napoleon;  and  who  could  now 
say,  thitt  Britain  was  not  actuated  by  the  mere  thirst  for 
revenge,  or  the  less  honourable  thirst  for  plunder?  The 
war  now  came  home  to  the  interests  and  feelings  of  every 
man,  and  the  scenes  of  preparations,  which  were  exhibited 
over  he  continent,  were  the  most  animated  that  could  be 
conceived.  The  whole  country  was  in  motion;  every  town 
was  a  camp;  and  in  the  cities,  the  peaceful  avocations  of 
the  citizens,  which  the  war  until  now  had  scarcely  inter- 
rupted, were  laid  aside.  All  the  principal  cities  selected 
their  committees  of  defence,  and  the  whole  of  the  popula- 
tion moved  in  bands,  to  the  sound  of  martial  musick,  to 
the  daily  occupation  of  labouring  on  the  entrenchments 
and  fortifications. 

The  New  England  states,  at  first  so  much  averse  to  the 
war,  now  exhibited  their  characteristick  activity  and  ener- 
gy, 9,nd  gave  at  once  a  satisfactory  proof  that  nothing  was 
further  from  their  intentions,  than  seceding  from  the  con- 
federation. The  governour  of  Vermont,  wno  had  the  year 
before  made  an  attempt  to  recall  the  militia  of  the  state 
from  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  on  which  occa- 
sion the  militia  nobly  refused  to  obey  him,  now  endeavour- 
ed to  atone  for  his  conduct,  by  calling  them  ftvth  in  the 
most  animated  manner,  to  join  the  standard  of  their  coun- 
try.   The  American  ladies,  always  conspicuous  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Sll 


history  of  America,  for  their  patriotick  conduct  in  times 
of  tlifliculty  and  danger,  never  appeared  so  lovely  in  their 
zeal  tor  their  country. 

The  first  object  of  attack,  it  was  rij»;htly  conjectured, 
would  be  Baltimore;  the  cities  of  Philadelphia  and  New- 
York  waited  the  result  with  as  much  anxiety,  as  if  their 
fate  depended  upon  its  successful  issue;  in  tliis,  they  per- 
haps had  reason;  for  should  Baltimore  fall,  during  the  pan- 
ick  which  succeeded  the  capture  of  Washington,  ana  be- 
fore the  other  cities  would  haveUime  to  place  themselves 
in  an  attitude  of  defence,  they  could  make  but  a  feeble  re- 
sistance. After  the  first  moment  of  despondency,  occa- 
sioned by  the  capture  of  Washington,  had  subsided  in  Bal- 
timore, and  it  was  discovered  that  the  place  would  not  be 
assailed  immediately,  the  inhabitants  set  about  making 
preparations  for  defence.  Under  the  direction  of  genersd 
Smith,  a  ditch  was  opened,  and  a  breast-work  thrown  up 
by  the  inhabitants,  on  the  high  ground  to  the  north-east 
(to  eft'ect  which  every  class  of  people  united,)  so  as  com- 
pletely to  protect  the  town  in  the  only  quarter  in  which 
it  was  accessible  by  land  forces. 

In  a  few  days,  a  considerable  rumber  of  militia  arrived 
from  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia;  and  the  spirits  of  the  in- 
habitants were  greatly  animated  by  the  arrival  of  the  naval 
veteran,  commodore  Rodgers,  with  his  marines,  who  took 
possession  of  the  heavy  batteries  on  the  hill.  A  brigade 
of  Virginia  volunteers,  together  with  the  regulars,  was  as- 
signed to  general  Winder,  and  the  city  brigade  to  general 
Strieker;  tlie  whole  under  the  command  of  major-general 
Smith;  the  two  latter,  distinguished  revolutionary  officers: 
general  Strieker  had  served  from  the  commencement  to 
the  conclusion  of  that  war,  and  shared  in  many  important 
battles.  The  approach  to  the  city  by  water  was  defended 
by  fort  M'Henry,  commanded  by  major  Armistead,  with 
about  sixty  artillerists  under  captain  Evans,  and  two  com- 
panies of  sea  fencibles,  under  captains  Bunbury  and  Ad- 
dison; of  these,  thirty-five  were  on  the  sick  list.  As  this 
number  was  insufficient  to  man  the  batteries,  major  Arm- 
istead was  furnished  with  two  companies  of  volunteer 
artillery,  under  captain  Berry  and  lieutenant  Pennington, 
and  a  company  under  judge  Nicholson,  (chief  justice  of 


■'"''4 

''■  ,  »  I 

li  !••*■( 


■'  'II 


inn 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  AVAR. 


T^altimorc  county)  wlilrh  had  fondorcd  its  s(»rvirpn.  Ke- 
sidoa  tlie«o,  tlipic  was  a  detacliment  of  coininodoie  Har- 
ney's flotilla,  under  lioutonant  l»(Mlinan.  (t(»neral  Windor 
liad  also  furnishod  about  six  hundred  infantry,  under 
lieutenant  colonel  Steuart  and  major  liane,  consistina;  of 
detachments  from  the  twelfth,  fourteenth,  and  thirty- 
sixth  regiments  of  the  United  States  troops,  which  vvei-e 
enrampjMl  under  the  walls  of  the  fort.  The  total  amount- 
ed toalmut  one  thousand  men.  Two  batteries  to  the  ri«rht 
of  fort  M'llenry,  upon  the  Patapsco,  to  prevent  the  ene- 
my from  landing;  durin<|;the  niu;ht,  in  the  rear  of  the  town, 
were  manne<l,  the  one  by  lieutenant  Newcomb,  with  a 
detachment  of  sailors;  the  other,  by  lieutenant  Webster, 
of  the  flotilla;  the  former  was  called  fort  Covington;  the 
latter,  the  City  Battery, 

It  was  equally  important  to  the  safety  of  the  city,  that 
in  the  event  of  an  attack  by  land  and  naval  forces,  both 
should  be  repelled;  for  in  case  fort  M'Henry  was  si- 
lenced by  the  sliipping,  there  would  be  nothing  to  prevent 
the  destruction  of  the  town;  and  if  the  land  forces  of  the 
enemy  were  successful,  the  fort  could  no  longer  be  of  any 
avail,  and  would  even  be  untenable.  To  the  defence  of 
fort  M'Henry,  and  to  the  repulse  of  the  British  from  the 
lines,  the  inhabitants  looked  for  safety.  Independently 
of  the  devastating  orders  of  Cochrane,  and  tne  recent 
scenes  at  Wasliin^ton  and  Alex;.  ,  !ria,  this  city  was  a 
selected  object  of  the  vengeance  ol  the  enemy,  in  conse- 
quence of  her  active  and  patriotick  exertions  during  the 
war.  No  one  can  imagine  to  himself  a  just  picture  of  the 
state  of  anxious  feeling,  among  fifty  thousand  people  of 
all  ages  and  sexes,  for  the  approaching  crisis,  which  would 
determine  the  safety  or  destruction  of  their  city.  And 
even  in  case  of  successful  re!':istance,  the  most  painful  in- 
certitude hung  over  the  fate  of  those  who  were  to  risk 
tlieir  lives  in  its  defence,  not  strangers  or  mercenaries, 
but  their  bosom  friends,  their  brothers,  their  sons  and 
husbands;  every  one,  even  old  men  and  boys,  who  could 
wield  a  musket,  were  found  in  the  ranks.  Tlie  commit- 
tee of  safety,  composed  of  those  advanced  in  life,  and  the 
most  influential  citizens,  (among  whom  was  the  respecta- 
ble colonel  Howard,  a  hero  of  the  revolution,)  took  a  large 
share  in  the  preparations  to  meet  the  approaching  danger. 


thn 

river 
Ml  urn 
niout 
of  Jia 
aniou 
to  the 
of  \V 

coinin 

city. 

*ler  hi 

invad( 

in  ant 

the  el( 

•Vortli 

effecti' 

lieuteii 

^ix  hu 

colonel 

under  J 

(he  thi 

hundi 

one  hu 

hundi 

and 

four-p 

neral 

ketry, 

'V's^br, 

detacht 

operate 

M'hich 

At  SI 
ing-hou 
tJ>e  city 
tlie  cav; 
three  m 
near  th 
encamp 
o'clock, 


[re 
th 


HlsroUY  OF   rUE  WAIi. 


re«.     Re- 
dore  Ri\r- 
[\  NVindcr 
ry,  under 
[^sistina;  of 
111    thirty- 
;lii(l^  vvero 
al  amount- 
0  tlio  rij^ht 
nt  the  enc- 
f  the  town, 
mb,  with  a 
t  Webster, 
ington;  the 

ie  city,  that 
forces,  both 
iry  was  si- 
Y  to  prevent 
orces  of  the 
;r  be  of  any 
defence  of 
sli  from  the 
ependently 
the  recent 
city  was  a 
y,  in  conse- 
^  during  the 
ictureofthe 
d  people  of 
which  would 
city.     And 
t  painful  in- 
ere  to  risk 
ercenaries, 
jir  sons  and 
|s,  who  could 
[lie  commit- 
life,  and  the 
he  respecta- 
,  took  a  large 
:hing  danger. 


The  British  anny  having  rc-cmbarkod  on  board  the 
lleet  in  tlio  Patuxent,  admiral  Cochrane  moved  down  the 
liver,  and  proceeded  up  the  Chesapeake;  and  on  the 
morning  of  the  eleventh  of  Sopteuiber,  appeared  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Patapsco,  about  fourteen  miles  from  the  city 
of  Ualtimore,  with  a  ileet  of  ships  of  war  and  transports, 
amounting  to  fifty  sail.  On  the  next  day,  the  land  forces, 
to  the  number  ot*^  at  least  six  tliousand  men,  the  veterans 
of  Wellington,  debarked  at  North  Point,  and  under  the 
command  of  general  Ross,  took  up  their  march  for  the 
city.  General  Strieker  claimed  for  the  city  brigade,  un- 
der his  command,  the  honour  of  being  tlie  first  to  meet  the 
invader,  and  was  accordingly  detached  by  general  Smith, 
in  anticipation  of  the  landing  of  the  Britisli  troops.  On 
the  eleventh,  general  Strieker  proceeded  on  the  road  to 
North  Point,  at  the  head  of  three  thousand  two  hundred 
effective  men;  consisting  of  the  tifth  rei'^iment,  under 
lieutenaiit-colonel  Sterett,  five  hundred  and  fifty  strong; 
six  hundred  and  twenty  of  the  sixth,  under  lieutenant- 
colonel  M'Donald;  five  hundred  of  the  twenty-seventh, 
under  lieutenant-colonel  Long;  five  hundred  and  fifty  of 
the  thirty-ninth,  under  lieutenant-colonel  Fowler;  seven 
hundred  of  the  fifty-first,  under  lieutcnant-coloHel  Amey; 
one  hundred  and  fifty  riilemen,  under  captain  Dyer;  one 
hundred  and  fifty  cavalry,  under  lieutenant-colonel  Biays; 
and  the  Union  Artillery,  of  seventy-five  men,  and  six 
four-pounders,  under  captain  Montgomery,  (attorney  ge- 
neral of  the  state.)  A  light  corps  of  ritlemen  and  mus- 
ketry, under  major  Randal,  taken  from  general  Stansbu- 
ly's  brigade,  and  the  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  were 
detached  to  the  mouth  of  Bear  creek,  with  orders  to  co- 
operate with  general  Strieker,  and  to  check  any  landing 
w  hicii  the  enemy  might  effect  in  that  quarter. 

At  six  o'clock,  P.  M.  general  Strieker  reached  the  meet- 
ing-house, near  the  head  of  Bear  creek,  seven  miles  from 
tlie  city.  Here  the  brigade  halted,  with  the  exception  of 
the  cavalry,  who  were  pushed  forward  to  Gorsuch's  farm, 
three  miles  in  advance,  and  the  riflemen,  who  took  post 
near  the  blacksmith's  shop,  two  miles  in  advance  of  the 
encampment.  The  next  morning  (the  twelfth)  at  seven 
o'clock,  information  was  received  from  the  videttes,  that 

27 


•I    i 


L^ 


'K 


1:!!; 


SJ4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ihe  enemy  were  debarking  troops  under  cover  of  tlieii 
gun  vessels,  whicli  lay  oft' the  bluff  at  North  Point,  within 
the  mouth  of  the  Patapsco  river.  The  baggage  was  im- 
mediately ordered  back  under  a  strong  guard,  and  gene- 
ral Strieker  moved  forward  the  fifth  and  twenty-seventh 
Regiments,  and  the  artillery,  to  the  head  of  Long  Log 
lane,  resting  the  fifth  with  its  right  on  the  head  of  a 
branch  of  Bear  creek,  its  left  on  the  main  road,  while  the 
twenty-seventh  was  posted  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
road,  in  a  line  with  the  fifth.  The  artillery  was  posted 
^t  tlie  head  of  the  lane,  in  the  interval  between  these  two 
regiments.  The  thirty-ninth. was  drawn  up  three  hun- 
dred yaids  in  the  rear  of  the  twenty-seventh,  and  the 
fifty-first,  the  same  distance  in  the  rear  of  the  fifth;  the 
sixth  regiment  was  drawn  up  as  a  reserve  within  sight, 
half  a  mile  in  the  rear  of  the  second  line.  Thus  judi- 
ciously posted,  the  general  determined  to  wait  an  attack, 
having  given  orders,  that  the  two  regiments  composing 
the  front  line,  should  receive  the  enemy,  and  if  necessary, 
fall  back  through  the  fifty-first  and  thirty-ninth,  and  form 
on  the  right  of  the  sixth,  posted  in  reserve. 

The  general  now  learned,  that  the  British  were  moving 
rapidly  up  the  main  road,  and  at  the  moment  when  he 
expected  their  approach  to  be  announced  by  the  riflemen, 
stationed  in  the  low  thick  pine  and  firs,  in  advance, 
greatly  to  his  chagrin,  he  discovered  this  corps  falling 
back  upon  tlie  main  position,  having  listened  to  a  ground- 
less rumour,  that  the  enemy  were  landing  on  Back  river, 
to  cut  them  off.  This  part  of  the  general's  plan  having 
beer  frustrated,  he  placed  the  riflemen  on  the  right  of  his 
front  line,  by  this  means  better  securing  that  flank.  The 
videttes  soon  after  bringing  information,  that  a  party  of 
the  enemy  were  in  a  careless  manner  carousing  at  Gor- 
such's  farm,  several  of  the  ofticers  ofter^  their  services 
to  dislodge  him.  Captains  Levering's  and  Howard's 
companies,  fiom  the  fifth,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  in 
number,  under  major  Heath,  of  that  regiment;  captain 
Aisquitli's,  and  a  few  other  riflemen,  in  all  about  seventy; 
a  small  piece  of  artillery,  under  lieutenant  Stiles,  and  the 
cavaliy,  were  pushed  forward,  to  chastise  the  insolence 
of  the  enemy's  advance,  and  to  evince  a  wish,  on  the 


iVV  of  tllt'll 

'oiiit,  within 
^jre  w.'is  im- 
I,  and  gene- 
nty-seventh 
Lonff  Log 
head  of  a 
d,  while  the 
side  of  the 
was  posted 
n  these  two 
three  huu- 
th,  and  the 
he  fifth;  the 
vithin  sight, 
Thus  judi- 
it  an  attack, 
s  composing 
if  necessary, 
th,  and  form 

were  moving 
nt  when  he 
the  riflemen, 
in  advance, 
lorps  falling 
to  a  ground- 
Back  river, 
plan  having 
!  right  of  his 
flank.    The 
it  a  party  of 
jina:  at  Gor- 
leir  services 
d  Howard's 
and  fifty  in 
ent;  captain 
►out  seventy; 
tiles,  and  the 
le  insolence 
wish,  on  the 


■.]rV] 


/. 


?!.:,>/ 


: 


/, 


y 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


315 


part  of  tlie  American  army,  fo  en^jjage.  The  detachment 
had  scarcely  proceeded  half  a  mile,  when  they  came  in 
contact  with  the  main  body  of  tlie  enemy;  a  sharp  skir- 
mish ensued,  in  which  major  Heath's  horse  was  shot  un- 
der him,  and  several  of  the  Americans  killed  and  wound- 
ed, but  not  unrevenged,  for  in  this  aifair  the  enemy 
lost  their  commander-in-chief,  general  Ross.  This  ofti- 
cer  had  imprudently  proceeded  too  far,  for  tlie  purpose 
of  reconnoitring,  when  he  was  killed  by  one  of  the  com- 
pany of  captain  Howard,  who  was  in  the  advance.*  Af- 
ter the  death  of  Ross,  the  command  devolved  on  colonel 
Brook,  who  continued  to  push  forward,  notwithstanding 
this  occurrence.  The  American  detachment  fell  back, 
and  the  general  conceiving  the  two  companies  of  How- 
ard and  Levering,  to  be  too  much  fatigued  to  share  in  the 
approaching  conflict,  they  were  ordered  to  form  on  the 
reserve,  not  without  a  request  on  their  part,  to  be  per- 
mitted to  share  the  perils  of  their  townsmen.  At  half 
past  two  o'clock,  the  enemy  commenced  throwing  rock- 
ets, which  did  no  injury,  and  immediately  captain  Mcnt> 
gomery's  artillery  opened  his  fire  upon  them,  which  was 
returned  by .!  six-pounder  and  a  howitzer  upon  the  left 
and  centre.  The  fire  was  brisk  for  some  minutes,  when 
the  general  ordered  it  ti3  cease  on  his  side,  with  a  view 
of  bringing  the  enemy  into  close  cannister  distance.  Per- 
ceiving that  the  efforts  of  the  British  were  chiefly  direct- 
ed against  the  left  flank,  the  general  brought  up  the  thir- 
ty-ninth into  line  on  the  left  of  the  twenty-seventh,  and 
detaclted  two  pieces  of  artillery  on  the  left  of  the  thirty- 
ninth;  and  still  more  completely  to  protect  this  flank, 
which  was  all  important,  colonel  Amey,  of  the  fifty-first, 
was  ordered  to  form  his  regiment  at  right-angles  with  the 
line,  resting  his  right  on  the  left  of  the  thirty-ninth.  This 
movement  was  badly  executed,  and  created  some  confu- 
sion in  that  quarter,  but  was  soon  rectified  with  the  as- 
sistance of  the  generaKs  aid,  major  Stevenson,  and  the 
brigade-majors,  Calhoun  and  Frailey. 

*  The  death  of  general  Ross  hail  been  ascribed  to  an  apprentice  boy, 
armed  witii  a  riile,  who  fired  from  behind  a  tuft  of  bus1)es,rtnd  forfeited 
his  life  for  his  temerity.  This  matter  is  si  ill  in  dispute, — having  no  op- 
portunity of  investigating  it,  I  must  leave  it  so. 


,11)1'  : 


U    ■ 


ill! , 


-m\ 


m 

m 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 

The  enemy's  right  column  now  displayed,  and  advanc- 
ed upon  the  twenty-seventh  and  thirty-ninth.  Unfortu- 
nately at  this  juncture,  the  fifty-first,  "frouj  some  sudden 
panick,  after  giving  a  random  fire,  broke  and  retieated  in 
«uch  confusion,  as  rendered  it  impossible  to  rally  it,  and 
occasioned  the  same  disorder  in  the  second  battalion  of 
the  thirl  v-ninth.  The  fire  by  this  time  became  general 
from  right  to  left;  the  artillery  poured  an  incessant  and 
destructive  str(  am  upon  the  enemy's  left  column,  which 
endeavoured  to  shelter  itself  beliind  a  log  house,  but  this 
was  instantly  in  a  blaze;  captain  Sadtler  having  takeji 
the  p^-ecauiion  to  fire  it,  as  soon  as  it  was  abandoned  by 
him  and  his  yagers.  About  ten  minutes  past  three,  the 
British  line  came  on  with  a  rapid  discharge  of  musketrv, 
which  was  well  returned  by  the  fifth,  the  twenty-seventii, 
and  the  first  battalion  of  the  thirty-ninth,  who  maintained 
their  ground  in  spite  of  the  example  set  by  the  intended 
suppuit  on  the  left.     The  whole  of  the  general's  force 

with  this  diminution,  scarcely  amounted  to  fourteen  hun- 
dred    ta  \<vtii<^>K    "T--    •■--  -       -'    ■«^*  '     '         .•    .1 

uicu,  u»  vvu.*^.^  ^^^^  opposed  iiie  wnoie  oi  me  enemy. 
The  fire  was  incessant,  until  about  twenty-five  minutes 
before  four  o'clock,  during  wh'ch  time  general  Strieker 
gailantly  contended  against  four  times  his  numbers;  but 
finding  that  the  unequal  contest  could  be  maintained  no 
longer,  and  that  the  enemy  was  about  to  out  flank  him,  in 
conserjaence  of  the  flight  of  the  fifty-first,  he  was  compel- 
led to  retire  upon  his  reserve,  which  he  effected  in  good 
order.  Here  he  formed  his  brigade,  but  the  enemy  not 
thinking  it  advisable  to  pursue,  he  fell  back,  anl  took 
post  on  the  left  of  the  line,  a  half  a  mile  in  advance  of 
the  entrenchments,  where  he  was  joined  by  general  Win- 
der, who  had  been  stationed  on  the  west  side  of  the  city, 
but  was  now  ordered,  with  the  Yiri^inia  brigade  and  cap- 
tain Bird's  United  States  dragoons,  to  take  post  on  the 
left  of  general  Strieker. 

The  conduct  of  the  Baltimore  brigade,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  fifty-first,  and  the  second  battalion  of  the  tlur- 
ty-nintii,  who  were  seized  with  the  panick  to  which  raw 
troo])«  are  so  much  subject,  deserveJ  the  highest  ]jraise. 
Veterans  could  not  have  done  more;  their  loss,  in  killed 
and  wounded,  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  sixtv-three, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


i^ 


17 


(amonGjst  whom  were  some  of  the  most  respectable  citi- 
zens 01  Baltimore,)  about  an  eighth  of  the  force  engaged. 
Adjutant  James  Lowry  Donaldson,  of  the  twenty-seventh, 
(an  eminent  lawyer,)  was  killed  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight; 
major  Heath  and  major  Moore,  and  a  number  of  other 
oflicers,  were  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  British  was 
nearly  double  that  of  the  Americans,  according  to  their 
own  acknowledgment,  and  probably  much  greater.  T'his 
unexpected  resistance  had  a  happy  effect  upon  the  enemy; 
in  their  official  statements,  they  computed  the  American 
force  at  six  thousand,  a  great  proportion  regulars,  and 
estimated  our  loss  at  one  thousand,  from  which  "e  may 
infer  their  opinion  of  the  manner  in  which  they  were  re- 
ceived. 

The  general  in  his  report  particularly  mentioned  the 
good  conduct  of  lieutenant-colonel  Sterett,  and  major 
Heath,  and  major  Barry,  of  the  fifth;  captain  Spander, 
of  the  York  (Pennsylvania)  volunteers;  adjutant  Ches- 
ton,  who  was  slightly  woundecf;  lieutenant-colonel  I^ong, 
of  the  twenty-seventh,  which  regiment  "was  unsurpassed 
in  bravery,  resolution,  and  enthusiasm;"  lieutenant-colo» 
nel  Fowler  and  major  Steiger,  of  the  thirty-ninth,  and  the 
volunteer  companies  attached  to  this  corps;  of  captain 
Quantril,  from  Hagerstown,  and  captain  Metzgar,  from 
Hanover,  (Pennsylvania)  the  former  of  whom  was  wound- 
ed; captain  Montgomery  had  a  distinguished  share  in  the 
action,  and  gained  great  honour  for  himself  and  his  com- 
pany. Majors  Calhoun  and  Frailey,  and  the  general's  aid, 
major  George  P.  Stevenson,  were  highly  complimented  in 
general  orders;  majors  Moore  and  Robinson,  of  the  twen- 
ty-seventh, were  conspicuously  active  throughout  the  en- 
gagement. Many  were  the  acts  of  patriotism  that  would 
deserve  to  be  remembered.* 


i 


r,y'« 


*  It  is  difficult  to  pass  in  silence  the  conduct  of  the  venerable  James 
H.  M'Culloch.  Although  nearly  seventy  years  of  age,  and  of  a  v.cakly 
frame,  he  proceeded  with  a  few  old  men  like  himself,  and  rucju.vsted 
permission  to  stand  in  the  ranks  of  the  company,  which  he  had  con;- 
manded  twenty  years  before;  he  was  severely  wounded,  and  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy.  The  old  gentleman  was,  at  first,  a  subjoct  of* 
mirth  to  the  Bi'itish  officers,  who  je8tt<l  at  the  idea  of  a  person  of  hih 
years,  with  one  foot  in  the  grave,  turning  out  as  a  common  soldier;  but 
heir  jest  was  changed  to  admiration,  on  the  arrival  of  the  accomplisheH 
27* 


I 


.•anFitiWAiw 


318 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


The  result  of  this  affair,  when  communlcatetl  to  1h«' 
lines,  with  the  deatii  of  the  British  general,  served  t(^ 
ciieer  the  spirits  of  the  militia,  and  inspire  confidence. 
The  bri;LJ;a(les  of  generals  Stansbury  and  Foreman;  the 
seamen  and  marines  under  commodore  Rodgers;  the  Penn- 
sylvania volunteers,  under  colonels  Cobean  and  Findley; 
the  Baltimore  artillery  under  colonel  Harris,  and  the  ma- 
rine artillery  under  captain  Stiles,  manned  the  trenches 
and  battery,  and  in  this  situation  spent  the  night  under 
arms  prepaied  to  receive  the  enemy.  The  enemy  made 
his  appearance  the  next  morning,  in  front  of  the  entrench- 
ments, at  the  distance  of  two  miles,  whence  he  had  a  full 
view  of  the  position  of  the  Americans.  During  the  morn- 
ing, by  his  manoeuvres  to  the  right,  he  seemed  to  show  an 
intention  of  coming  down  by  tlie  Harford  and  York  roads; 
to  baffle  this  design,  generals  Winder  and  Strieker  were 
ordered  to  adopt  their  mf  ements  accordingly.  The  Bri- 
tish were,  in  consequence,  compelled  to  concentrate  their 
force  in  front;  and  to  approach  within  a  mile  of  the  en- 
trenchments, showing  an  intention  of  attacking  the  posi- 
tion that  evening.  General  Smith,  therefore,  immediate- 
ly drew  generals  Winder  and  Strieker  nearer  to  the  right 
of  the  enemy,  with  a  view  of  falling  upon  his  rear,  in  case 
he  should  make  the  attempt,  or  think  of  retreating  in  the 
morning. 

In  t!ie  meantime,  the  naval  attack  had  already  com- 
menced. The  fleet,  after  landing  the  troops  at  the  Pa- 
tapsco,  proceeded  to  bombard  fort  iVPHenry,  which  com- 
mands tne  entrance  of  the  harbour.  On  the  thirteenth, 
about  sunrise,  tlie  British  had  brought  sixteen  ships  with- 
in two  miles  and  a  half  of  the  fort.     Major  Armistead  ar- 

young  gentleman,  his  son,  a  surgeon  in  the  service  of  the  United  StJites, 
and  when  they  lean\ed  he  was  the  collectoi'  of  the  port  of  Baltimore. 
Such  an  incident  pi-oved  a  spirit  of  resistance,  as  discouraging  to  the 
foe  as  a  battle.  Mr.  N.  Williams,  a  senator  of  Maryland,  was  shot 
through  the  body,  and  left  on  the  field;  his  brother,  a  wealthy  mer- 
chant, was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh.  Mr.  Hollingsw  orth ,  another 
senator,  was  also  left  wounded  on  the  field.— -Amongst  the  citizens  of 
note  who  (levoted  themselves  on  this  occ-^sion,  none  is  more  deserving 
of  being  remembered,  than  major  Isaac  M'Kini,  one  of  the  aids  of  ge- 
neral Smith,  who,  by  his  personal  exertions,  rendered  the  most  essen- 
tial service  to  the  cause.  These  individuals  are  named,  to  show  th-e 
kind  of  materials  of  which  the  troops  were  composed 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAP.. 


319 


itecl  ti)  tht" 
,  serve<l  to 
confidence, 
reman;  tlie 
r,  tlic  Penn- 
ed Findley; 
ind  the  ma- 
!ie  trenches 
light  under 
nemy  wade 
le  en  trench - 
e  had  a  full 
ig  the  morn- 
I  to  show  an 
York  roads; 
tricker  were 
r.    TheBri- 
entrate  their 
le  of  the  en- 
ing  tlie  posi- 
|,  immediate- 
:  to  the  right 
rear,  in  case 
eating  in  the 

•1  ready  com- 

s  at  the  Pa- 

vvhich  com- 

e  thirteenth, 

ships  with- 

rmistead  ar- 

United  Stiiteg, 
It  of  Baltimore, 
jauragiiig  to  the 
^land,  WHS  shot 
.  wciilthy  mer- 
jworth ,  anothci* 
the  citizens  of 
jiiore  deserving 
the  aids  of  ge- 
ihe  most  essen- 
[d,  to  show  th-e 


ranged  his  force  in  the  following  manner:  The  regular  ar- 
tillerists under  captain  Evans,  and  the  volunteers  under 
captain  Nicholson,  manned  the  bastions  in  the  star  fort; 
captains  Bunbury'Sj  Addison's,  Hodman's,  Berry's,  and 
lieutenant  commandant  Pennington's  command,  were  sta- 
tioned on  the  lower  works;  and  the  infantry,  under  lieute- 
nant-colonel Steuart  and  major  Lane,  were  in  the  outer 
ditch,  to  meet  the  enemy  at  his  landing,  should  he  make 
such  attempt.  The  attack  now  commenced  from  five 
bomb-vessels,  at  the  distance  of  two  miles;  when  finding 
themselves  sufliciently  near,  they  anchored,  and  kept  up 
an  incessant  bombardment,  while  they  were  at  such  a  dis- 
tance as  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of  the  guns  of  the  fort.  The 
situation,  although  painfully  inactive,  was  hij^hlv  perilous; 
yet  every  man  stood  to  his  post  without  shrinking.  One 
of  the  twenty-four  pounders,  on  the  south-west  bastion, 
under  captain  Nicholson,  was  dismounted,  and  killed  his 
second-lieutenant,  and  wounded  several  of  his  men.  The 
enemy  now  approached  somewhat  nearer,  so  as  to  be  with- 
in striking  dis Lance.  A  tremendous  fire  was  instantly 
opened  from  the  fort,  which  compelled  him  precipitately 
to  regain  his  former  position.  The  bombardment  was 
kept  up  during  the  whole  day  and  night.  The  city,  thus 
assailed  on  both  sides,  awaited  the  result  with  death-like 
silence,  and  yet  no  eye  was  closed  in  sleep.  Suddenly^ 
about  midnight,  a  tremendous  cannonade  was  heard  in 
the  direction  of  the  fort,  and  the  affrighted  population  be- 
liev/^d  that  all  was  over.  Their  fears  were  soon  quieted, 
by  the  information  that  some  barges  of  the  enemy,  the 
number  not  known,  had  attempted  to  land,  but  wer :  com- 
pelled to  draw  oft' with  all  possible  haste,  after  great  slaugh- 
ter, by  lieutenants  Webster  and  Newcomb,who  command- 
ed the  city  Imttery  and  fort  Covington.  By  the  next  morn- 
ing the  bombardment  ceased,  after  upwards  of  fifteen  hun- 
dred shells  had  been  thrown;  a  large  portion  of  which 
burst  over  the  fort,  and  scattered  their  fragments  amongst 
its  defenders;  a  great  number  fell  within  the  works,  and 
materially  injured  two  of  the  publick  buildings,  and  two 
slightly.  There  were  four  killed  and  twenty-four  wound- 
ed; among  the  former,  lieutenant  Clagget  and  sergeant 
("lemm,  oi  captain  Nicholson's  volunteers,  greatly  lament- 


"I 


;   u4 


;  I 


m 


<  n 


t1 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ed  by  their  fellow-citizens  for  their  personal  bravery  and 
hi»h  standing;  in  private  life. 

In  the  course  of  the  night,  admiral  Cochrane  held  a 
communication  with  the  commander  of  the  land  forces, 
and  the  enterprise  being  deemed  impracticable,  it  was 
mutually  agreed  to  withdraw.  The  bombardment  still 
continued,  after  the  retreat  commenced,  in  order  to  keep 
up  the  attention  of  the  Americans,  while  the  enemy,  fa- 
voured by  the  extreme  darkness  of  the  night  and  the  con- 
tinued rain,  took  up  their  march  unobserved.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  Americans  waited  the  approach  of  day  with 
much  anxiety.  About  ten  thousand  men  were  disposed 
along  the  lines;  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that 
they  would  have  repelled  the  enemy  with  great  loss,  had 
he  made  an  attack.  Commodore  Rodgers,  with  his  brave 
seamen,  would  have  given  them  a  warm  reception  from  his 
batteries.  These  were  commanded  principally  by  the  of- 
ficers of  the  Guerriere — lieutenants  Gamble,  Kulin,  Ilut- 
ter,  Frazier,  together  with  sailing-masters  De  La  Rouch 
and  Ramaj^e,  and  other  naval  oificers,  who  inspired  confi- 
dence by  their  presence.  The  hero  of  lake  Erie,  commo- 
dore Perry,  (although  excluded  from  active  command  by 
indisposition)  was,  however,  found  on  the  lines  when  the 
attack  was  expected.  Captain  Spence  took  an  active 
part  in  the  preparations  for  defence.  At  day-light  the 
enemy  had  disappeared.  General  Winder  was  immedi- 
ately detached  in  pursuit,  with  the  Virginia  brigade  and 
captain  Bird's  dragoons.  At  the  same  time  major  Randal 
was  despatched  with  his  light  corps,  and  all  the  cavalry 
was  put  in  motion  for  the  same  object.  The  great  body  of 
the  troops  were,  however,  so  worn  out  with  coi^dnued 
watchings,  and  with  being  under  arms  during  three  days 
and  nights,  exposed  the  greater  part  of  the  time  to  so  very 
inclement  weather,  that  it  was  found  impracticable  to  do 
any  thing  more  than  pick  up  a  few  stragglers.  The  time 
which  had  elapsed  since  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  had  giv- 
en them  an  opportunity  of  protecting  their  embarkation, 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  prevent  any  part  of  their  rear  from 
being  cut  off.  The  next  day  the  fleet  descended  the  bay, 
to  the  great  joy  of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  for  this  providen- 
tial preservation. 


IIISTORV  OF  THE  WAR. 


321 


The  intellio-ence  of  this  happy  event  was  received  in 
Hie  neighbouring  cities  with  demonstrations  of  joy,  which 
cannot  be  described.  The  brave  defence  of  Baltimore, 
soothed  the  publick  feelins  for  the  affair  of  Washinsjton. 
But  one  moment  before,  the  popular  dismay  appeared  to 
have  reached  its  achme,  and  the  most  gloomy  anticipations 
seemed  about  to  be  realized.  The  case  of  Baltimore  came 
home  to  every  individual  bosom,  for  all  the  larger  towns 
were  equally  threatened  with  devastation.  The  feelings 
of  tlie  inhabitants  of  the  city  itself,  can  with  difficulty  be 
conceived:  measures  were  taken  to  celebrate  the  occur- 
rence, to  reward  those  who  held  distinguished  commands, 
and  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  this  awful  period.  To 
liiose  v,!io  i'ell  in  the  i;acred  cause  of  the  defence  of  their 
firesides  and  their  homes,  a  monument  was  decreed  to  be 
erected  in  the  centre  of  the  city. 

The  illuminations  throughout  the  United  States  had 
scarcely  been  extinguished,  when  news  of  the  most  bril- 
liixnt  success  was  received  from  the  inirthern  frontier. 
While  admiral  Cochrane  was  threatening  the  sea-coast 
with  devastation,  at  tlie  request,  as  he  stated,  of  sir  George 
Prevost,  this  officer,  who  was  invading  the  United  States 
in  another  quarter,  held  a  very  different  language.  While 
he  could  direct  the  British  forces  to  the  soutlvto  lay  waste 
and  destroy,  if  he  really  ever  gave  such  directions,  he  was 
a  great  stickler  for  liberal  anci  hoiiourable  warfare  on  the 
borders  of  Canada.  His  language  was  of  the  softest  and 
most  conciliatory  kind.  On  entering  the  state  of  New- 
York,  "he  makes  known  to  its  peaceable  and  unoffending 
inhabitants,  that  they  have  no  cause  of  alarm  from  this  in- 
vasion of  their  country,  for  the  safety  of  themselves  and 
families,  or  for  the  security  of  their  property.  He  expli- 
citly assures  them,  that  as  long  as  they  continue  to  de- 
mean themselves  peaceably,  they  shall  be  protected  in  the 
quiet  possession  of  their  liomes,  and  permitted  freely  to 
pursue  tlieir  various  occupations.  It  is  against  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  Un/ted  States,  by  whom  this  unjust  and 
unprovoked  war  hai  been  declared,  and  against  those  who 
support  it,  either  openly  or  secretly,  that  the  arms  of  his 
majesty  are  directed.  The  quiet  and  unoffending  inha- 
bitants not  found  in  arms,  or  otherwise  not  aiding  in  hos- 


"4 

m 


...ii: 


1^;  '.M. 
■  '  til 

■■II 


1 


,  !'■■ 


■\m 


M 


3^2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


tilities,  shall  meet  with  kind  usage  and  cenerous  treatment; 
and  all  just  complaints  against  any  ot  his  majesty's  sub- 
jects, offering  violence  to  them,  to  their  families,  or  to 
their  possessions,  shall  be  immediately  redressed."  There 
is  notliing  said  of  retaliation,  nor  the  slightest  hint  tiiat 
the  war  on  the  part  of  the  Americans  had  not  been  con- 
ducted according  to  the  usages  of  war.  With  these  fair 
words,  sir  George  led  his  army  to  Plattsburg,  about  the 
beginning  of  September,  while  tiie  fleet  proceeded  on  his 
leit  up  the  lake,  in  order  that  he  might  make  a  contempo- 
raneous attack  by  land  and  water.  Previous  to  this,  little 
of  consequence  had  transpired  in  this  quarter,  excepting 
an  attack  on  the  battery  at  the  mouth  of  Otter  creek,  in 
which  the  British  were  repulsed  with  loss. 

The  British  had  been  greatly  reinforced.  During  the 
months  of  July  and  August,  the  army  from  the  Garonne, 
which  had  so  much  distinguished  itself  under  Wellington, 
arrived  in  the  St.  Lawrence;  a  part  being  sent  up  to  con- 
tend with  Brown  on  the  Niagara,  the  remainder,  about 
fourteen  thousand,  were  organized  by  sir  George  Prevosf, 
agreeably  to  the  orders  of  the  prince  regent,  fir  the  pur- 
pose of  entering  the  state  of  New-York.  There  is  good 
reason  to  believe,  that  this  movement  had  a  more  import- 
ant object  than  a  mere  inroad;  had  it  been  successful,  a 
powerful  attempt  would  have  followed  from  another  quar- 
ter, on  the  city  of  New-York,  in  order,  by  seizing  the  line 
of  the  Hudson,  completely  to  cut  off  the  New-England 
states;  perhaps  under  the  gross  deception,  that  the  people 
of  those  states  would  submit  to  be  recolonized,  or  at  least 
withdraw  from  the  union. 

After  general  Izard  had  marched  to  the  Niagara,  the 
force  left  at  Plattsburg,  under  general  M'Comb,  did  not 
exceed  fifteen  hundred  regulars,  many  of  them  invalids 
and  new  recruits;  excepting  four  companies  of  the  sixth, 
he  had  nut  an  organized  battalion.  The  works  were  in 
no  state  of  defence,  and  the  stores  and  ordnance  were  in 
great  disorder.  The  British  force  took  possession  of 
Champlain  on  the  third  of  September,  and  from  th(i  pro* 
clamations  and  impressments  of  wagons  and  teams  in  this 
vicinity,  it  was  soon  discovered  that  their  object  was  an 
attack  on  Plattsburg.    Not  a  minute  was  to  be  lost  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


3^^3 


treatment; 
jesty's  sub- 
ilies,  or  to 
d."    Tliere 
st  hint  that 
t  been  con- 
h  these  fair 
5,  about  the 
eded  on  his 
L  contcmpo- 
Lo  tliis,  little 
',  excepting 
ter  creek,  in 


During  the 
he  Garonne, 
Wellington, 
it  up  to  cori- 
linder,  about 
rge  Prevost, 
for  thepur- 
here  is  good 
ore  import- 
uccesstul,  ta 
other  quar- 
Ang  the  line 
ew-England 
t  the  people 
,  or  at  least 

_  liagara,  the 
pmb,  did  not 
^m  invalids 
[f  the  sixth, 
rks  were  in 
Ince  weie  in 
l)ssession   of 
[oni  th(j  pro* 
3am  s  in  this 
ject  was  an 
be  lost  in 


placing  tlie  works  in  a  state  of  defence;  and  In  order  to 
create  an  emulation  and  zeal  among  the  oflicers  and  men,, 
they  were  divided  into  det«icliments,  and  stationed  in  the 
several  forts;  the  general  declaring  in  orders,  that  each 
detachment  was  the  garrison  of  its  own  work,  and  bound 
to  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity.  At  the  same  time,  he 
called  on  general  Mooers,  of  the  New-York  militia,  and 
arranged  with  him  plans  for  calling  out  the  militia  en 
masse.  The  inhabitants  of  Plattsburg  Hed  with  their  fa- 
milies and  effects,  excepting  a  few  men  and  some  boys, 
who  formed  themselves  into  a  company,  received  rifles, 
and  were  exceedingly  useful. 

General  Mooers,  by  the  fourth  of  the  month,  having 
collected  about  seven  hundred  militia,  advanced  seven 
miles  on  the  Beckman-town  road,  to  watch  the  motions 
of  the   enemy,  and  to  skirmisli  with  them  as  they  ap- 
proached; at  the  same  time  to  obstruct  the  road  by  break- 
ing down  the  bridges  and  falling  trees.    Captain  Sprowl, 
with  two  hundred  men  of  the  thirteenth  regiment,  was 
posted  at  Dead  creek  bridge,  on  the  Lake  road,  with  sim- 
ilar orders;  he  was  also  ordered  to  fortify  himself,  two 
fi^ild  pieces  being  attached  to  his  command  for  the  pur- 
pose.     In  advance    of  this  position,  lieutenant-colonel 
Appling  was  posted  wiih  one  hundred  riflemen,  for  the 
purpose  also  01  watching  their  movements.     At  day-light 
on  the  sixth,  it  was  ascertained  that  tiie  enemy  were  ad- 
vancing in  two  columns  by  each  of  these  roads,  dividing 
at  Sampson's,  a  little  below  Chazy  village.     The  column 
on  the  Beckman   road   approached  rapidly;  the  militia 
skirmished  a  little  with  its  advance  parties,  but  which, 
with  the  exception   of  a  few  brave  men,  soon  broke,  and 
fled  in  the  greatest  disorder.     A  detachment  of  two  hun- 
dred and  lifty  men,  under  major  Wool,  had  been  march- 
ed  to  their  support,  and  to  show  tliem  an  examjile  of 
firmness;  but  it  was  found  unavailing. 

Finding  that  the  enemy's  columns  ha^'  petietrated 
within  a  mile  of  Plattsburg,  orders  were  rt^ceived  for 
colonel  Appling  to  return  from  his  position  at  Dead  creek, 
and  fall  on  the  eneuiy's  right  flank.  The  colonel  fortu- 
nately arrived  Justin  time  to  save  his  retreat,  and  to  fall 
in  with  the  head  of  a  column  de'jouching  from  the  v.ood^. 


'1 


1    .  M      I 


'  -.m 


1:  n 


i 


324 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


He  poured  a  destructive  fire  from  his  riflemen,  and  con- 
tinued to  annoy  the  column  until  he  formed  a  junc- 
i'nm  vith  major  Wool.  Notwithstanding  that  consider- 
nhle  execution  was  done  hy  the  field  pieces,  the  enemy 
still  continued  to  press  forward  in  column;  considerable 
obstructions  were,  however,  thrown  in  their  way  by  the 
removal  of  the  bridge,  and  by  the  fallen  trees:  a  galling 
fire  was  also  kept  up  from  the  galleys  as  they  passed  the 
creek. 

The  village  of  Plattsburg  is  situated  on  the  north  east 
side  of  the  small  river  i!Jaranac,  near  its  entrance  into  lake 
Champlain,  while  the  Anjerican  works  are  situated  di- 
rectly opposite.  The  town  being  no  longer  tenable,  the 
parties  of  Appling,  Wool,  and  Sprowl,  were  ordered  to 
retire;  which  was  accordingly  done,  keeping  up  a  brisk 
fire  until  they  had  got  under  cover  of  their  works.  The 
enemy  then  threw  their  light  troops  into  the  houses  near 
the  bridge,  and  annoyed  the  Americans  with  their  small 
arms  from  the  windows  and  balconies,  until  by  a  few  hot 
shot  the  buildings  were  set  on  fire.  Throughout  the  day 
their  light  troops  attempted  to  drive  the  guards  from  the 
bridge,  but  they  paid  dearly  tor  their  perseverance,  and 
in  an  attempt  to  cross  the  upper  bridge,  they  were  reso- 
lutely thrown  back  by  the  militia.  After  the  whole  of  the 
American  troops  hud  crossed  the  bridges,  the  planks  were 
taken  up,  and  piled  in  such  a  manner  as  to  forma  breast- 
work. 

The  enemy,  now  masters  of  the  village,  instead  of  at- 
tempting to  carry  the  American  works,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  which  their  vast  superiority  of  force 
might  have  enabled  them  to  do,  contented  themselves  with 
erecting  works,  whence  they  continued  to  annoy  the  Ame- 
ricans, and  constantly  skirmishing  at  the  bridges  and 
fords.  By  the  eleventh,  the  fifth  day  of  the  siege,  a  con- 
siderable force  of  New-York  and  Vermont  militia,  which 
had  been  continually  collecting,  lined  the  Saranac,  and 
repelled  the  attempts  of  the  British  to  cross,  while  at  the 
same  time,  a  considerable  body  was  sent  to  harrass  their 
jear.  There  was  scarcely  an  intermission  to  the  skir- 
mishes which  took  place  between  them  and  the  militia, 
who  acted,  after  the  first  day,  with  great  intrepidity.  The 


HISTORY  OF  THE  AVAR. 


325 


1,  and  con- 
id  a  junc- 
t  conhitler- 
the  enemy 
DnsUlerable 
way  by  the 
:  a  galling 
passed  the 

;  north  east 
ce  into  lake 
lituated  di- 
tenable,  the 

ordered  to 
r  up  a  brisk 
^orks.  The 
houses  near 

their  small 
3y  a  few  hot 
lout  the  day 
•ds  from  the 

erance,  and 

were  reso- 
hole  of  the 

ilanks  were 
[rm  a  breast- 

Istead  ofat- 
Ihe  opposite 
]ty  01  force 
I  selves  with 
»y  the  Ame- 
tridges  and 
liege,  a  con- 
]litia,  which 
iranac,  and 
^hile  at  the 
irrass  their 
the  skir- 
the  militia, 
»idity.  The 


Auu'riran  regulars,  at  the  same  time,  laboured  incessantly 
to  extend  ami  strengthen  their  works.  During  this  time, 
a  handsome  attUir  was  achieved  by  captain  M'Glassin,  who, 
crossing  the  river  in  the  night,  assailed  the  British  regu- 
lars, more  than  three  times  his  numbers,  stationed  at  a 
masked  battery,  which  had  been  for  some  days  preparing, 
drove  them  from  their  posts,  and  demolished  the  works. 

The  principal  cause  of  delay,  which  was  fortunate  for  the 
Americans,  was  the  momentary  expectation  of  the  fleet, 
which  was  intended  to  co-operate.    On  the  morning  of 
the  eleventh,  at  eight  o'clock,  the  look-out-boat  of  commo- 
dore M'Donough,  announced  its  approach.     It  consisted 
of  the  frigate  Confiance,  carrying  thirty-nine  guns,  twen- 
ty-seven of  which  were  twenty-four  pounders;  the  brig 
liinnet,  of  sixteen  guns;  the  sloops  Chub  and  Finch,  each 
carrying  eleven  guns;  tinrteen  gallies,  five  of  which  car- 
ried two,  and  the  remain'ler  oim*  gun.     Tiie  commodore  at 
this  moment  lay  at  anchor  in  Piattsburg  bay,  and  intend- 
ed in  that  situation,  to  receive  the  enemy.     His  licet  con- 
sisted of  the  Saratoga,  carrying  twenty-six  guns,  eight  of 
which   were  long   twenty-lour  pounders;  the   Eagle,  of 
twenty  guns:  the  Ticonderoga,  of  seventeen;  the  Treble, 
seven;  and  ten  galleys,  six  of  which  carried  two,  the  re- 
mainder one  gun.    Besides  the  advantage  which  the  ene- 
my possessed,  in  being  able  to  choose  their  position,  their 
force  was  much  superiour.     The  n' 'nber  of  guns  in  tlic 
British  fleet  amounted  to  ninety-five,  and  of  men,  to  up- 
wards of  a  thousand;  while  that  of  the  Americans  was 
eighty-six,  and  the  number  of  men,  less  by  two  hundred. 
One  of  the  American  vessels  had  been  built  v^ith  despatch 
almost  incredible.    Eighteen    days  before,  the   trees  of 
which  it  was  constructed,  were  actually  growing  on  the 
shores  of  the  lake. 

The  American  vessels  were  moored  in  line,  with  five 
gunboats,  or  galleys,  on  eacli  flank.  At  nine  o'clock,  cap- 
tain Downie,  the  British  commander,  anchored  in  line, 
abreast  of  the  American  squadron,  at  about  three  hundred 
yards  distance,  the  Confiance  opposed  to  tlie  Saratoga, 
the  Linnet  to  the  Eagle;  the  British  {.alleys  and  one  u(  the 
sloops  to  the  Ticonderoga,  Preble,  and  left  division  of 

28 


It'! 


m 

m 

m 


it; 


i.- 


,!• 


G2G 


IIISTORV  OF  THE  WAR. 


the  American  galleys;  tlie  other  sloop  was  opposed  to  the 
right  division. 

In  this  situation  tlie  whole  force  on  both  sides  became 
ongaoed,  and  at  the  same  moment,  as  if  this  had  been  the 
signal,  the  contest  commenced  between  general  M'Comb 
and  sir  George  ^revost.  One  of  the  British  sloops  was 
soon  thrown  out  of  the  engagement,  by  running  on  a  reef 
of  rocks,  whence  she  could  not  be  extricated,  while  one 
division  of  the  enemy's  galleys  was  so  roughly  handled, 
as  to  be  compelled  to  pull  out  of  the  wa}^  But  the  fate 
of  this  interesting  day,  on  which  the  two  rivals  for  naval 
superiority,  were  for  the  second  time  matched  in  squadron, 
depended  chicly  on  the  result  of  the  engagement  between 
the  two  largegi  ships.  The  American  commodore  main- 
tained the  unequal  contest  ibrtwo  hours,  but  the  greater 
weiu,ht  of  tiic  enemy's  battery  seemed  to  incline  the  scale 
of  victory,  although  he  suffered  prodigiously.  Tiie  chances 
against  the  Saratoga  were  accidentally  increased  by  the 
conniKUider  of  the  Eagle,  who  not  being  able  to  bring  his 
:^uns  to  bear  as  he  wished,  cut  his  cable  and  anchored  be- 
tv/een  the  Ticor.d;  roga  and  Saratoga,  by  which  this  ves- 
sel was  expo,;ed  to  a  galling  fire  fiom  the  enemy's  brig. 
The  guns  on  iixe  sti  board  side  had,  by  this  time,  been 
either  dismountci  or  become  unmanageable;  the  situation 
of  the  enemy  was  but  littlt;  better;  to  both,  the  fortune  of 
the  day  depended  upon  the  execution  of  one  of  the  most 
dillicult  naval  manoeuvres;  to  wind  their  vessel  round,  and 
bring  a  new  broadside  to  bear.  The  Confiance  essayed  it 
in  vain,  but  the  efibrts  of  t!ie  Saratoga  were  successful;  a 
stern  anchor  vvas  let  go,  tlie  bower  cable  cut,  and  the  ship 
^vinded  with  a  fresh  broadside  on  the  frigate,  which  soon 
after  surrendered.  A  broadside  was  then  sprung  to  bear 
(;n  the  l:rig,  which  surrendered  in  fifteen  minutes  after. 
The  sloop  opposed  to  the  Eadc  had  struck  to  captain 
Henley  some  time  before,  and  diifted  down  the  line.  Three 
of  the  galleys  were  sunk,  the  others  escaped;  all  the  rest 
of  the  fleet  fell  into  t!ie  hands  of  conurodore  MT)onouj2.h. 
3^y  the  time  tliis  bloody  contest  was  over,  there  was  scaice- 
ly  a  mast  in  eillier  s([uadron  capable  of  bearinj*;  a  sail,  and 
the  greater  part  of  the  vessels  in  a  sinking  state.  Tiiere 
were  fifty-live  round  shot  in  the  iiuil  of  the  ►Saratoga,  and 


V' 


IIISTOUY  OF  THE  WAR. 


)Sfid  to  tliu 

les  became 
L(l  been  the 
il  M'Comb 
sloops  was 
g  on  a  reef 
,  while  one 
ly  handled, 
iut  the  fate 
Is  for  naval 
n  squadron, 
jnt  between 
odore  main- 
the  greater 
ne  the  scale 
rhe  chances 
ased  by  the 
to  bring  his 
mchored  be- 
ich  this  ves- 
nemy's  brig- 
s  time,  been 
he  situation 
e  fortune  of 
of  the  n\ost 
I  round, and 
e  essayed  it 
lUcccssful;  a 
and  the  ship 
I,  which  soon 
rung  to  bear 
inutes  after. 
X  to  captain 
line.  Three 
all  tlie  rest 
iM'Donough. 
e  wasscarce- 
<v  a  sail,  and 
ate.    There 
arato;^a,  and 


in  the  Confiance  one  hundred  and  five.  The  Saratoga 
was  twice  set  on  fire  by  hot  shot.  The  action  lasted  two 
hours  and  twenty  minutes.  The  commander  of  the  Con- 
fiance  was  killed,  with  forty-nine  of  his  men,  and  sixty 
wounded.  On  board  the  Saratoga  there  were  twenty- 
eight  killed,  and  twenty-nine  wounded.  Of  the  first,  was 
lieutenant  Gamble;  and  on  board  the  Ticojuleroga,  lieu- 
tenant Stansbury,  (son  of  general  Stansbury,  of  Mary- 
land.) Among  the  wounded,  were  lieutenant  Smith,  act- 
ing lieutenant  Spencer,  and  midshipman  Baldwin.  The 
total  loss  in  the  American  squadron  amounted  to  fifty- 
two  killed,  and  fifty-eight  wounded.  Tlie  loss  of  the  ene- 
my was  eighty-four  killed,  one  hundred  and  ten  wounded, 
and  eight  hundred  and  fifty-six  prisoners,  which  actually 
exceeded  the  number  of  their  captors. 

This  engagement,  so  deeply  interestin  j;  to  the  two  rival 
nations,  took  place  in  sight  of  the  hostile  armies.  But 
they  were  by  no  means  quiet  spectators  of  the  scene;  a  hot 
engagement  was  kept  up  during  the  wholw  time;  the  air 
V  as  filled  with  bombs,  rockets,  sharpnels,  and  !iot  balls. 
Three  desperate  efforts  were  made  by  the  British  to  cross 
over,  and  storm  the  American  works,  in  which  they  were 
as  often  repulsed,  with  considerable  loss.  An  attempt  to 
force  the  bridge,  was  bravely  defeated  by  a  detachment  of 
regulars  and  captain  Grosvenor's  rillemen.  They  at- 
tempted a  ford  about  three  miles  above,  but  were  so  briskly 
assailed  by  a  body  of  volunteers  and  militia,  posted  in  a 
wood,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  detatchment  was  cut  to 
pieces.  The  efforts  of  the  enemy  naturally  relaxed,  after 
witnessing  the  painful  sight,  so  little  expected,  of  the  en- 
tire capture  of  their  fleet.  The  firing  was,  however,  kept 
up  untd  night;  at  dusk  the  enemy  withdrew  their  artillery, 
and  raised  the  siege.  The  plans  of  sir  George  Prevost 
were  completely  frustrated,  since  the  Americans  had  now 
the  command  of  the  lake;  even  if  he  were  to  possess  him- 
self of  the  American  works,  it  would  not  serve  him  in  any 
further  design;  in  the  meantime  he  would  be  exposed  to 
great  danger  from  the  hourly  augmentation  of  the  Ame- 
rican force.  Under  the  cover  of  the  night,  he,  therefore, 
sent  oft" all  his  baggage  and  artillery,  for  which  he  found 
means  of  transportation;  and  before  day  the  next  moril- 


4i-: 


;'f'.( 


i 


■\m 


■I 

I. 

:*  \ 


|i 


S28 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ing,  his  whole  force  precipitately  retreated,  leaving  behind 
their  sick  and  wounded.  Vast  quantities  of  military 
stores  and  munitions  of  war,  were  abandoned  by  them, 
and  still  greater  quantities  were  afterwards  found  hid  in 
marshes,  or  buried  in  the  ground.  They  were  hotly  pur- 
sued, a  number  of  stragglers  were  picked  up,  and  up- 
wards of  five  hundred  deserters  came  in. 

Those  of  the  British  army  and  navy  who  fell,  were  in- 
i.erred  with  the  honours  of  war.  The  humane  attention 
of  the  Americans  to  the  wounded,  and  the  politeness  and 
generous  attention  to  the  prisoners,  were  acknowledged 
in  grateful  terms  by  captain  Pryng,  (who  succeeded  cap- 
tain Downie,)  in  his  official  despatch  to  the  admiralty. 

Thus  was  this  portentous  invasion  most  happily  re- 
pelled, and  another  of  our  inland  seas  made  glorious  by 
the  victories  of  free  Americans.  The  "star  spangled 
banner"  wav^d  in  triumph  on  the  waters  of  Champlain, 
as  it  did  over  Erie  and  Ontario.  These  noble  features 
in  our  great  empire,  will  henceforth  be  viewed  with  a 
very  different  interest  from  what  they  heretofore  excited. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Unanimity  of  sentiment  in  Congress— British  sine  qua  non — Affaii-s  to 
the  soiithwai'd — Creek  hostilities — Invasion  of  Louisiana — AtFairs  of 
the  gunl)oats — Hritish  forces  landed  in  Louisiana— Battle  of  the 
twenty-third  of  December — Battle  of  the  eighth  of  January— The 
British  compelled  to  retreat — Bombardment  of  fort  St.  Philip—' 
Peace  with  Great  Britain. 

Jlhe  national  legislature  convened  under  very  different 
feelings  from  those  that  had  existed  in  this  body  for  many 
years  past.  Party  spirit,  it  is  true,  was  not  altogether 
at  an  end,  but  no  other  course  remained  but  an  union  in 
devising  the  best  means  for  carrying  on  the  war,  which 
had  become  a  war  of  defence.  Whatever  difference  of 
sentiment  might  prevail  with  respect  to  the  past,  and  as 
to  the  men  in  power,  there  was  but  little  as  to  the  course 
to  be  pursued  in  future.    The  great  cause  of  the  most. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


S-29 


bitter  complaint  aj^ainst  the  administration,  French  in- 
fluence, was  at  an  end,  and  the  recent  conduct  of  Great 
Britain  towards  (his  country,  rendered  it  impossible  for 
any  one  to  say  that  she  was  not  wantonly  pursuing  hos- 
tilities, when  these  causes  no  longer  existed.  No  one 
could  now  be  the  advocate  of  Britain. 

All  felt  the  neglect  with  which  our  ministers  in  Europe 
had  been  treated,  suft'ering  them  to  remain  for  months 
unnoticed,  shifting  the  place  of  negotiation,  and  with  a 
duplicity  unbecoming  a  great  nation,  endeavouring  to 
prolong,  for  halt  a  year,  a  treaty  which  might  liave  been 
accomplished  in  a  day.  But  when  the  first  occurrence 
which  took  place  on  the  meeting  of  the  commissioners, 
was  communicated  to  this  country,  it  produced  a  burst 
of  indignation  from  all  parties  on  tlie  floor  of  congress, 
and  through  the  union.  It  was  thought,  that  all  hopes  of 
peace  were  at  an  end,  and  the  people  began  to  prepare 
their  minds  for  a  long  and  bloody  war.  From  the  in- 
structions which  our  commissioners  had  received,  they 
were  authorized  (in  consequence  of  the  pacification  of 
Europe,  and  the  necessity  of  Great  Britain  for  resorting 
to  impressment  no  longer  existing,  having  already  more 
seamen  in  the  service  than  she  required )  to  pass  the  sub- 
ject of  impressment  in  silence  for  the  present;  tliis  was  in 
fact  nothing  more  than  the  request  made  after  the  com- 
mencemei  ^  of  hostilities,  to  cease  the  yractlce  of  impress- 
ment pending  the  proposed  armistice.  The  practice  liad 
now  ceased  with  its  alleged  necessity.  The  subject  of 
blockade  was  also  at  an  end  for  the  present,  with  the 
power  of  Napoleon,  and  ought  not  to  stand  in  the  way  of 
pacification. 

There  was  nothing,  in  fact,  between  the  two  nations: 
and  our  war,  which  had  grown  out  of  the  war  in  Europe, 
and  the  injustice  practised  upon  us  bv  both  the  bellige- 
rents from  alleged  necessity,  ought  to  have  ceased  with  it. 
Perhaps  the  government  was  censurable  in  tliis  great  anx- 
iety for  peace;  perhaps  we  ought  never  to  have  yielded 
until  some  provision  had  been  made  by  the  enemy  to  pre- 
vent the  recurrence,  at  some  future  period,  of  the  detesta- 
ble abuses  inseparably  attendant  on  the  practice  of  im- 
pressing her  seamen  from  our  vessels;  a  practice,  which 
28* 


i«l!t 


i 


SjiS 


330 


HISTOllV  OF  THE  WAR. 


had  reduced  to  slavery  many  thousands  of  our  fellow-citi- 
zens. But  the  nation  at  this  moment  required  peace;  we 
had  suffered  much  from  our  inexperience  during  this  first 
war;  a  few  years  repose  would  enable  us  to  vindicate  this 
principle  of  eternal  justice  with  a  greater  hope  of  success. 
Besides,  it  was  reasonable  to  conclude  that  Great  Britain 
had,  by  this  time,  dearly  paid  for  the  impressment  of  our 
citizens  and  the  confiscation  of  their  property,  and  that 
in  future  she  would  be  cautious  how  she  '  fringed  our 
rights.  It  is  seldom  by  compelling  an  enenij  to  acknow- 
ledge his  wrong,  that  a  war  is  successful;  it  is  by  the  re- 
sistance made,  and  the  injury  inflicted,  that  its  object  is 
attained.  This  sincere  wish  for  peace  was  not  thus  met 
by  the  British  commissioners,  who  proposed  at  once,  as 
sine  qua  non,  the  surrender  of  an  immense  portion  of  the 
American  territory,  and  a  total  relinquishment  of  the  lake 
sho)  3S.  These  new  and  unwarranted  pretensions  excited 
universal  astonishment.  Could  it  be  supposed,  thjit  the 
English  commissioners,  on  an  occasion  like  tlie  present^ 
would  descend  to  the  trifling  artifice  of  prolonging  the  ne- 
gotiation, by  proposing  terms  from  wliich  they  meant  to 
recede?  could  they  consistently  with  the  dignity  of  tJieir 
nation,  recede  from  them?  If  serious,  such  proposals  arr- 
gued  a  surprising  ignorance  of  the  situation  of  the  United 
States,  or  a  disposition  to  insult  them  in  the  grossest 
manner. 

A  subject  which  was  brought  before  tlie  legi^-^lature  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  which  received  the  approbation  ofa!! 
parties  in  congress,  furnished  a  strong  proof  of  a  dispo- 
sition to  unite  in  the  cause  of  the  country.  The  leaders 
of  the  party  in  the  New-England  states,  opposed  to  the 
war,  had  grown  every  day  more  and  more  intemperate, 
while  the  great  mass  of  the  people,  on  the  contrary,  were 
become  better  reconciled.  Under  a  mistaken  idea  of  the 
real  sentiments  of  the  people,  a  convention  was  proposed 
to  meet  at  Hartford,  in  Connecticut:  and,  according  to 
the  gazettes,  its  object  was  no  less  than  a  separation  of 
the  union.  Whatever  this  may  have  been,  it  was  soon 
finuid,  that  it  was  not  approved  by  the  majority  of  any 
party:  the  deput}es  of  tliree  states  only  convened,  scarce- 
ly representing  a  tliii;;d  of  New -England;  and  after  a  short 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


SSI 


session,  this  mighty  effort,  to  destroy,  as  was  supposed, 
our  noble  patriotick  fabrick,  tenninated  in  a  declamatory 
address  on  subjects  long  since  forgotten,  and  a  remon- 
strance or  petition  to  the  congress  of  the  United  States, 
enumerating  stale  objections  to  the  federal  constitution, 
and  which  was  presented  to  the  several  states  for  appro- 
bation, but  every  where  rejected.     In  the  Pennsylvania 
legislature,  this  extraordinary  memorial  was  referred  to  a 
committee,  and  a  noble  and  eloquent  report  was  drawn 
up  by  a  member  of  the  opposition ,  in  which  the  causes  of 
complaint  were  clearly  refuted,  the  constitution  ably  vin- 
dicated, and  the  conduct  of  the  memorialists  severely 
censured.    This  attempt  to  destroy  the  confederacy  of 
the  states,  proved  only  disgraceful  to  those  by  whom  it 
was  made.    Let  it  be  tlie  warm  prayer  of  every  Ameri- 
can, that  this  noble  fabrick,  reared  by  the  hands  of  sages, 
and  cemented  by  the  blood  of  patriots,  may  be  eternal! 
The  American  has  now  still  greater  reason  to  admire  and 
love  the  institutions  of  his  country,  since  the  most  violent 
tempest  cannot  shake  this  fortress  of  his  safety,  which  is 
])laced  upon  a  rock.     The  confederation  of  these  states 
was  an  achievement,  which  transcends  almost  every  ef- 
fort of  human  wisdom.     How  much  bloodshed  has  it  not 
saved  already,  and  how  much  will  it  not  save  in  future? 
Look  at  the  eternal  wars  of  the  Grecian  states;  for,  unfor- 
tunately, it  is  but  too  true,  that  neighbouring  independent 
powers  are  naturally  enemies.  What  strength  does  not  this 
glorious  UNION, give  to  each  individual  state,  and  what  con- 
sequence to  each  individual  citizen,  who  is  thus  made 
the  member  of  a  great  nation,  instead  of  being  one  of  a 
petty  tribe?     The  mind  cannot  contemplate  this  subject 
without  being  filled  with  the  most  magnificent  concep- 
tions: eternal  infamy  to  the  wretcli,  whose  heart  can  har- 
bour so  much  wickedness  against  his  country,  and  malig- 
nity to  his  fellow-creatures,  as  to  wish  to  loosen  the  bands 
by  which  we  are  made  a  nation,  destined  to  bn  one  of  the 
greatest  on  the  globe. 

Another  important  affair  was  brought  before  congress. 
In  consequence  of  the  capture  of  Washington,  serious  ap- 
prehensions were  entertained  that  a  removal  of  the  seat 
of  government  would  follow,  particularly  as  it  v.as  well 


if 


•i.'i 


I 

m 


332 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


knovvrij  that  there  were  a  number  of  enemies  to  this  site. 
But  these  fears  were  soon  dispelled;  the  question  was 
finally  put  at  rest;  the  veneration  for  the  great  father  of 
our  republick  prevailed  over  every  other  consideration, 
and  the  city  of  Washington  is  now  destined  for  ages,  and 
it  is  hoped  for  ever,  to  be  the  seat  of  our  national  go- 
vernment. 

Our  finances  also  appeared  to  revive,  under  the  indefa- 
tigable industry  and  great  abilities  of  Mr.  Dallas,  whom 
the  president  selected  at  this  critical  moment  to  fill  the 
office  of  secretary  of  the  treasury.  His  plans  were  cha- 
racterized by  the  greatest  boldness,  but  were  unfolded  in 
so  luminous  a  manner,  as  to  carry  conviction  to  evfiry 
mind.  He  may  be  said  to  have  plucked  up  the  sinking 
credit  of  the  nation,  by  the  locks.  The  duties  of  the 
secretary  at  war  were,  at  the  same  time,  discharged  by 
colonel  Monroe,  in  addition  to  his  other  avocations;  in 
which  undertaking  he  exhibited  no  small  courage,  for  it 
had  become  a  forlorn  hope  of  popularity:  he  was  happily 
rewarded  by  the  most  foitunate  success  in  all  his  mea- 
sures, and  by  the  universal  applause  of  his  country. 

While  tlie  American  congress  was  thus  occupied,  the 
publick  attention  was  awakened  by  a  most  alarmin  ^  state 
of  affairs  to  the  southward.  Tlie  Creek  war  was  renewed, 
and  a  powerful  invasion  of  Louisiana  was  threatened. 
General  Jackson,  after  concluding  a  treaty  with  the 
Creeks,  moved  his  head-quarters  to  Mobile.  Here,  about 
the  latter  end  of  August,  he  received  certain  information, 
that  three  British  ships  of  war  had  arrived  at  Pensacola, 
and  had  landed  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition  and  guns, 
for  the  purpose  of  arming  the  Indians,  and  had  besides 
marched  into  the  fort  with  three  hundred  troops.  He 
was  also  informed,  that  the  fleet  of  admiral  Cochrane  had 
been  reinforced  at  Bernmda,  and  that  thirteen  ships  of 
the  line,  with  transports,  were  daily  expected  with  ten 
thousand  troops,  for  the  purpose  of  invading  some  of  the 
southern  states.  On  the  receipt  of  this  information,  he 
immediately  wrote  to  the  governour  of  Tennessee,  call- 
ing for  the  whole  quota  of  that  state. 

Tlie  two  vessels  at  Pensacola  having  been  joined  by 
another,  appeared  on  the  fifteenth  of  September,  off  fort 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


t''  .T  ^ 


;  to  this  site. 
[jiiestion  was 
eat  father  of 
onsideration, 
for  ages,  and 
national  go- 

T  the  indefa- 
)allas,  whom 
nt  to  fill  the 
IS  were  cha- 
'.  unfolded  in 
ion  to  evfiry 
the  sinking 
luties  of  the 
ischarged  by 
vocations;  in 
ourage,  for  it 
was  iiappily 
all  his  mea- 
)untry. 
(ccupied,  the 
arming  state 
^as  renewed, 
threatened. 
|ty   with   the 
Here,  about 
information, 
|t  Pensacola, 
n  and  guns, 
had  besides 
roops.     He 
lochrane  had 
en  ships  of 
d  with  ten 
omc  of  the 
rmation,  he 
essec,  call- 
joined  by 
)er,  off  fort 


Boyer,  which  couimands  the  entrance  to  Mobile  bay.  A 
proclamation  was  now  issued  by  colonel  Nichols,  com- 
manding his  majesty's  forces  in  the  Floridas,  addressed 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Louisiana,  Kentucky,  or  Tennessee. 
If  not  intended  as  a  piece  of  humour,  it  proved  a  sur- 
prising ignorance  of  the  character  of  these  people.  The 
inhabitants  of  Louisiana  were  called  upon,  to  aid  the 
British  forces,  in  liberating  their  paternal  soil  from  the 
usurpation  and  oppression  of  the  Americans,  and  in  re- 
storing the  country  to  the  right  owners;  as  if  these  peo- 
ple would  prefer  to  be  a  remote  colony  of  Great  Britain, 
a  nation  whom  they  hated,  to  being  an  independent  state, 
and  enjoying  the  noble  privilege  of  self-government. 
The  topicks  addressed  to  the  people  of  the  other  states, 
excited  their  mirth;  and  this  contemptible  buffoonery  of 
colonel  Nichols,  was  thought  to  do  no  great  honour  to  his 
master.  It  was  not  long  before  this  officer  made  an  ex- 
periment of  the  persuasive  effects  of  his  eloquence.  On 
tlie  fifteenth,  at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  he  proceed- 
ed to  make  an  attack  on  the  fort,  at  this  time  ganisened 
by  nvjjor  Lawrence,  of  the  second  infantry,  with  one 
hundred  and  twenty  men.  The  batteries  were  opened 
Upon  the  enemy  and  the  fire  was  returned  by  all  his  ves- 
sels. Before  this,  a  party  of  o'le  hundred  and  ten  ma- 
rines, with  two  hundred  Creeks,  headed  by  captain 
Woodbine,  and  about  twenty  artillerists,  had  landed  in 
the  rear  of  the  fort,  where  they  commenced  a  fire  with  a 
twelve-pounder  and  a  howitzer,  but  were  soon  driven 
from  their  position.  The  vessels,  after  a  cannonade  of 
three  hours,  were  compelled  to  retire  with  great  loss 
The  commodore's  ship,  carrying  twenty-two  thirty- two- 
pounders,  was  driven  on  shore  within  six  hundred  yards 
of  the  battery,  where  she  suffered  so  severely,  that  those 
on  board  were  obliged  to  set  her  on  fire,  and  make  their 
escape;  out  of  a  crew  of  one  hundred  and  seventy,  this 
was  effected,  however,  by  only  twenty.  On  board  the 
other  ships,  which  were  considerably  injured,  eighty-five 
were  killed  and  wounded. 

If  the  waggish  proclamations  of  colonel  Nichols  had 
rendered  him  and  his  employers  ridiculous,  his  conduct 
in  another  quarter  was  such  as  to  cover  lum  with  lasting 


iiii 


334 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


infamy.  South-west  of  tlie  Mississippi,  in  one  of  the  lakes 
which  communicate  with  the  gulf,  a  nest  of  outlaws,  smug- 
glers, privateersmen,  or  m'>re  properly  speaking,  pirates,* 
had  fixed  themselves  on  an  island,  almost  inaccessible. 
These  desperadoes,  to  the  number  of  five  or  six  hundred, 
were  headed  by  a  ferocious  fellow  of  the  name  of  Lafitte. 
From  an  accurate  acquaintance  with  all  the  secret  passa- 
ges to  the  Mississippi,  they  could  with  facility  smuggle 
their  booty  to  New-Orleans,  and  with  their  aid  an  enemy 
might  be  guided  to  the  very  entrance  of  the  city  undisco- 
vered. Lafitte,  however,  with  that  lawless  boldness  of 
character,  mixed  something  of  magnanimity.  He  had  for 
several  years  been  outlawed,  and  his  establishment  had 
been  broken  up  in  the  course  of  the  summer,  by  a  detach- 
ment under  colonel  Ross,  of  the  44th,  and  a  naval  force 
under  commodore  Patterson;  but  the  force  was  no  sooner 
withdrawn,  than  the  pirates  returned  to  their  old  occu- 
patio.i.  The  British  had  been  solicited  to  join  in  extir- 
pating these  publick  enemies,  but  they  declined,  probably 
intending  to  use  them  in  due  season.  This  had  now  ar- 
rived, and  to  the  disgrace  of  the  British  government,  an 
alliance  was  proposed  by  colonel  Nichols,  with  extrava- 
gant offers  of  reward  to  Lafittel  But  what  was  most  hu- 
miliating to  those  who  could  stoop  so  low,  this  alliance 
was  indignantly  rejected.  Lafitte  at  first  dissembled, 
until  he  had  drawn  from  the  colonel  important  informa- 
tion, when  he  dismissed  him  With  disdain,  and  immedi- 
ately despatched  a  messenger  to  governour  Claiborne,  who 
had  some  time  before  offered  five  hundred  dollars  for  his 
apprehension,  and  laid  before  him  incontestible  proofs  of 
the  truth  of  hie  declaration.  TJie  governour  was  agreeably 
surprised  at  this  unexpected  trait  of  generosity,  but  at  first 
hesitated  as  to  the  course  to  be  pursued:  on  the  approach 
of  danger,  however,  he  issued  his  proclamation,  in  which 
he  pledged  himself,  that  those  engaged  in  this  illicit  course 
of  life  should  be  forgiven,  provided  they  would  come  for- 
ward and  aid  in  the  defence  of  the  country.  This  was 
joyfully  accepted  by  the  Barratarians,  as  they  were  call- 

*  They  pt'etended  to  have  uuitbrmly  acted  as  privateersmen.  under 
^.he  flagof  Cui'thageua,  b'lt  they  coudemucd  then*  prizes  in  thiir  own 

■-'•ay. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR, 


335 


<•(!,  \vlio  tendered  their  services,  and  were  found  eminent- 
ly useful. 

General  Jackson  havinj^in  vain  remonstrated  with  the 
jlijovernour  of  Pensacola  (or  his  unprecedented  conduct, 
(Ictermined  to  march  against  that  place.     Having  receiv- 
ed a  reinforcement  of  two  thousand  Tennessee  militia, 
which  had  marched  through  the  Indian  country,  he  ad- 
vanced to  Pensacola,  to  demand  redress.    On  the  sixth  of 
Novemher  he  reached  the  neidibourhood  of  that  post, 
and  immediately  sent  major  Peire  with  a  flag,  to  commu- 
nicate the  object  of  his  visit  to  the  governour;  but  he  was 
forced  to  return,  being  fired  on  from  the  batteries.    Jack- 
son then  reconnoitred  the  fort,  and  finding  it  defended 
both  by  British  and  Indians,  he  made  arrangements  fur 
storming  it  the  next  day.    The  troops  were  put  in  mo- 
tion at  day-light,  and  being  encamped  to  the  west  of  the 
town,  the  attack  would  be  expected  from  that  qtiarter;  to 
keep  up  this  idea,  part  of  the  mounted  men  were  sent  to 
show  themselves  on  the  west,  whilst  the  remainder  of  the 
troops  passed  ta  the  rear  of  the  fort,  undiscovcned,  to  the 
east  of  the  town.     Ilis  whole  force,  consisting  of  a  few 
regulars,  a  body  of  militia,  and   some  Choctaw  Indians, 
appeared  in  view  when  within  a  mile  of  the  fort,  and  ad- 
vanced firmly  to  the  enemy's  woiks,  although  there  were 
seven  British  vessels  on  their  left,  and  strong  batteries  of 
cannon  in  front.    On  entering  t!ie  town,  a  battery  of  two 
cannons,  loaded  with  bail  and  grape,  was  opened  on  the 
centre  column,  composed  of  regulais,  and  a  shower  of 
*(iusketry  was  poured  from  the  iiousesand  gardens.     The 
battery  was  soon  carried  and  the  musketry  silenced.  The 
gove  nour  now  made  l»is  appearance  with  a  flag,  begged 
for  mercy,  and  offered  to  surrender  the  town  immediately. 
This  was  granted,  and  every  protection  afforded  to  the 
persons  and  property  of  the  inhabitants.     The  command- 
ant of  the  fort  refused  to  suriender  until  midnight,  when 
he  evacuated  it  with  his  troops,  just  as  the  Americans 
were  preparing  to  make  a  furious  assault.     The  British 
withdrew  their  shipping,  and  Jackson,  having  accomplish- 
ed his  purpose,  returned  to  Mobile. 

]>y  the  first  of  September  it  was  reduced  to  a  certainty, 
tliat,  notwithstanding  the  negotiations  pending  at  Ghent, 


i 


'I 


336 


HISTORY  OK  THE  WAIt 


serious  preparations  were  making  for  a  formidable  inva- 
sion of  Louisiana.  Governor  Claiborne  ordered  the  two 
divisions  of  the  militia,  the  first  under  general  Villere, 
and  the  second  under  general  Thomas,  to  nold  themselves 
in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  Winning.  He  also 
sent  forfh  an  animated  address,  calling  on  the  inhabitants 
to  turn  out  en  masse,  for  the  defence  of  their  families  and 
homes,  from  the  lawless  violence  of  the  invader.  On  the 
sixteenth  of  September,  a  number  of  the  citizens  convened 
in  order  to  devise  measures,  in  co-operation  with  the  civil 
authorities,  for  the  defence  of  the  country.  Mr,  Edward 
Livingston  was  chosen  president  of  the  meeting;  and  af- 
ter an  eloquent  speech,  he  proposed  a  spirited  resolution, 
which  would  repel  the  calumny  of  the  insinuation,  of  their 
being  disaffected  to  the  American  government,  and  would 
prove  their  determination  to  oppose  the  common  enemy. 
This,  when  made  publick,  was  received  with  universal 
demonstrations  of  applause. 

The  war  had,  thus  far,  been  felt  in  one  of  the  most 
peaceful  portions  of  the  globe,  only  by  its  effects  on  com- 
mercial and  agricultural  prosperity.  In  consequence  of 
the  suppression  of  trade,  and  the  low  price  of  all  kinds  of 
produce,  the  people  liad  suff*ered  much.  The  banks  had 
stopped  payment,  and  distresses  of  every  kind  in  this 
country  of  abundance,  had  begun  to  be  felt.  The  great 
mass  of  the  planteis,  (at  least  of  the  French  part,)  of  an 
amiable  and  gentle  disposition,  had  paid  but  little  atten- 
tion to  the  existing  war;  the  militia  could  scarcely  be  said 
to  be  organized,  much  less  disciplined  or  armed.  Noth- 
ing short  of  an  actual  invasion  could  rouse  them.  In  the 
city  the  case  vvas  different;  from  the  commencement  of  the 
war,  as  if  sensible  of  the  feeble  help  which  they  could  ex- 
pect from  the  gener?'  government,  they  manifested  the 
greatest  alacrity  in  qualifying  tiiemselves  for  taking  the 
field  against  an  invader.  Every  man  capable  of  bearing 
arms,  had  become  a  soldier,  and  perhaps  in  none  was  there 
such  frequent  and  elegant  displays  of  well  disciplined  vo- 
lunteer companies,  dressed  in  uniform.  The  wonderful 
aptitude  of  the  Fiench  for  the  profession  of  arms,  was  ne- 
ver more  fully  exhibited.  There  were  interminded  with 
them,  a  number  of  men  who  had  served  in  the  French 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


337 


nidable  inva- 
crcd  the  two 
eral  Villere, 
(I  themselves 
ng.  He  also 
»e  inhabitants 

families  and 
der.  On  the 
ens  convened 
with  the  civil 

Mr.  Edward 
etins;;  and  af- 
ed  resolution, 
ation,  of  their 
nt,  and  would 
mmon  enemy, 
vith  universal 

le  of  the  most 
ffects  on  com- 
onsequence  of 
of  all  kinds  of 
le  banks  had 
kind  in  this 
The  great 
h  part,)  of  an 
it  little  atten- 
ircely  be  said 
•med.     Noth- 
hem.     In  the 
cement  of  the 
Jiey  could  ex- 
anifested  tlic 
r  taking;  the 
[le  of  bearing 
,ne  was  there 
sciplined  vo- 
e  wonderful 
Inns,  was  nc- 
[ningled  witli 
tlie  French 


armies.  Tlic  free  people  of  colour,  a  numerous  class,  were 
permitted,  as  a  privileji^e  of  which  they  were  proud,  to 
form  volunteer  companies  and  wear  their  uniform;  some 
of  these  were  natives,  but  the  j^reater  part  had  been  refii- 
jJiees  from  Saint  Dominj^o.  The  Ameriv  .m  and  French 
inhabitants,  although  sometimes  at  variance  with  each 
other,  on  this  occasion  united  heartily  in  dislike  to  the 
Ena^lish,  and  in  a  disposition  to  frustrate  their  designs. 

The  chief  dependence  of  the  inhabitants  for  safety, 
was  iu  the  nature  of  their  country  itself,  being  exceeding- 
ly difficult  of  access,  for  an  enemy  invading  by  sea.  In 
Iront  a  shallow  coast,  and  the  principal  entrance  a  river, 
which,  after  crossing  the  bar  is  narrow,  deep  and  rapid, 
and  of  course  so  winding,  as  to  render  it  easily  suscepti- 
ble of  being  fortified.  To  the  west,  the  country  is  com- 
posed of  impassible  swamps,  and  on  the  east,  the  low 
marshy  coast  can  only  be  approaclied  through  a  shallow 
lake.  The  most  natural  defence  of  such  a  country,  would 
be  gunboats,  or  vessels  drawing  little  water,  and  capable 
of  being  easily  transferred  from  place  to  place.  At  tlie  sug- 
gestion of  commodore  Patterson,  a  block  ship  had  been 
commenced,  but  was  not  yet  completed.  Great  uneasiness, 
however,  prevailed,  on  account  of  the  powerful  force  ex- 
pected to  attack  them,  and  the  deficiency  of  their  means 
of  defence.  Louisiana  iiad  been  left  by  the  administra- 
tion, which  had  neither  money  nor  men  to  send,  like  other 
parts  of  the  union,  to  rely  chiefiy  on  itself.  It  was  cer- 
tainly, as  it  respected  men,  ai-ms  and  military  works,  in  a 
most  defenceless  condition.  The  legislature  had  been 
convened,  but  instead  of  actively  providing  the  means  of 
defence,  much  of  their  time  was  spent  in  idle  discussion. 

In  these  times  of  general  alarm  and  danger,  nothing  is 
of  so  much  importance,  as  a  man  at  the  head  of  affairs, 
possessed  of  firmness  and  decision  of  character,  in  whom 
all  may  safely  confide.  Happily,  at  this  critical  junc- 
ture, there  was  found  such  a  man  in  general  JacKson. 
This  officer  hastened  hi§  departure  from  Mobile,  on  hear- 
ing of  the  danger  of  New-Orleans,  and  arrived  on  the  se- 
cond of  December.  His  presence  was  instantly  felt  in 
the  confidence  which  it  inspired,  and  the  unanimity  and 
alacFJty  with  which  thev  seconded  evM'v  di<;i;oT:^ioM  cf  a 


i>  j 
't 


't! 


m 


i 


338 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


man  so  justly  celebralcd  for  activity,  prudence  and  good 
fortune.  With  wonderful  rapidity,  he  put  in  operation 
all  the  resources  of  his  fertile  genius,  for  the  defence  of 
the  country.  lie  visited  in  person,  according  to  liis  in- 
variable practice,  every  point  where  it  might  be  necessary 
t(r  erect  works  to  oppose  the  invaders.  All  the  inlets  or 
bayous,  from  tlie  Attakopas  to  the  Chef  Menteur  and 
jManchack,  were  ordered  to  be  obstructed.  The  banks 
of  the  Mississippi  were  fortified  by  his  direction,  in  such  a 
manner,  as  to  prevent  any  of  the  enemy's  vessels  from  as- 
cending, and  a  battery  was  erected  on  the  Chef  Menteur, 
so  as  to  oppose  the  passage  of  the  enemy  in  that  direction. 
He  then  called  on  the  legislature,  to  furnish  him  the 
means  ot'  expediting  the  difterent  works  which  he  had 
marked  out.  A  number  of  negroes  were  furnished,  and 
other  requisitions  promptly  supplied.  About  one  thou- 
sand regulars  were  stationed  at  New-Orleans,  v/hich,  to- 
getlier  with  the  Tennessee  militia,  under  Cottee  and  Car- 
roll, were  distributed  at  the  most  vulnerable  points. 
Colonel  Monroe,  in  anticipation  of  the  approaching  dan- 
ger in  the  south,  immediately  after  entering  on  the  dutie« 
of  secietaiy  at  war,  had  forwarded  military  supplies  by 
the  Oliio  river,  and  called  on  the  governours  of  Tennes- 
see and  K.L»ntucky,  for  a  considerable  force,  to  be  sent  with 
all  possible  expedition  to  Louisiana. 

About  the  fifth  of  December,  certain  intelligence  was 
received  that  tiie  British  fleet,  consisting  of  at  least  sixty 
sail,  Mas  oft' the  coast  to  the  east  of  the  Mississippi.  Com- 
modore Patterson  immediately  despatched  five  gunboats 
under  tlie  command  of  lieutenant  Catesby  Jones,  to  watch 
the  motions  of  the  enemy.  They  were  discovered  in  such 
force  oft' Cat  Island,  as  to  induce  the  lieutenant  to  make 
sail  for  the  passes  into  lake  Ponchartrain,  in  order  to  op- 
pose the  entrance  of  the  British.  The  Sea-Horse,  sailing 
master  Johnson,  after  a  gallant  resistance,  was  captured 
in  theb.iy  of  St.  Louis.  On  the  fourteenth  the  gunboats, 
while  becalmed,  were  attacked  by  nearly  forty  barges  and 
twelve  hundred  men,  and  after  a  contest  of  an  hour,  with 
this  overwhelming  force,  the  flotilla  surrendered.  The 
loss  of  tlie  Americans  was  forty  killed  and  wounded; 
among  the  latter,  lieutenant  Spidden,  who  lost  an  arm; 


HISTORY  OV  THK  WAU. 


339 


ce  and  roo<I 
in  operation 
i  defence  of 
nj;  to  his  in- 
De  necessary 
the  inlets  or 
lenteur  and 
Tlie  banks 
on, in  such  a 
^sels  from  as- 
lief  Menteur, 
hat  direction, 
nish  Inni  th« 
vhich  he  had 
urnished,  and 
)ut  one  thou- 
ms,  which,  to- 
}ftee  and  Car- 
Brable   points, 
roachinj;  dan- 
on  the  dutie« 
y  supplies  by 
rs  of  Tennes- 
0  be  sent  with 

felligence  was 
[  at  least  sixty 
lissippi.  Coni- 
Itive  gunboats 
lines,  to  watch 
Lvered  in  such 
Inant  to  make 
In  order  to  op- 
iHorse,  sailing 
./as  captured 
[the  gunboats, 
ky  barges  and 
Ian  hour,  with 
kidered.    The 
[nd  wounded; 
lost  an  arm; 


lieutenants  Jones  anil  M*K.ccvor  were  ulso  wounded.   The 
loss  of  the  enemy  was  estimated  at  three  hundred  men. 
The  destruction  of  the  2;unlH)ats  now  placed  it  in  the 
power  of  the  eriMuy  to  choose  his  point  oi  attack,  and,  at 
tlie  same  time,  in  a  great  measure,  deprived   us  of  the 
means  of  watching  his  motions.    Tlie  commander-iii-cliief, 
that  no  precaution   might  l)e  wanting,  ordered  the  batta- 
lion of  men  of  colour  un<ler  Lacoste,  together  with  th« 
Feliciana  dragoons,  to  take  post  on  the  Chef  Menteur,  to 
cover  the  road  to  the  city  from  the  lake;  and  captain  New- 
man, of  the  artillery,  who  commanded  at  the  Hegolets, 
was  ordereil  to  defend  that  place  to  tlie  last  extremity,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  British,  if  possible,  from   entering 
Ponchartrain.     Other   measures   were   rapidly   adopted. 
Colonel  Fortier,  one  of  the  principal  merchants  of  the 
city,  who  had  the  superintendance  of  the  volunteers  com- 
posed of  men  of  colour,  formed  a  second  battalion,  which 
was  placed  under  the  command  of  major  Dacpiin.    The 
legislature  appropriated  a  considerable  sum  of  money, 
and  by  means  of  bounties,  which  they  offered,  a  number 
of  persons  were  induced  to  serve  on  board  the  schooner 
Caroline  and  the  brig  Louisiana.    On  the  eighteenth,  the 
commander-in-chief  reviewed  the  city  regiments,  and  was 
particularly  gratified  with  the  appearance  of  the  uniform 
companies,   commanded  by  major  Plauche.     The  other 
battalion,  together  wit',  a  company  of  light  artillery,  un- 
der lieutenant  Wagn<  r,  was  ordered  to  the  bayou  Saint 
John.     An  embargo  *v'as  laid  for  three  days  by  the  legis- 
lature; a  number  of  persons  confined  in  the  prisons  were 
liberated,  on  condition  of  serving  in  the  ranks;  and  at: 
length  the  commander-in-chief  conceived  it  indispensable 
for  the  safety  of  the  country,  to  declare  martial  law,  a 
measure  fully  justified  by  necessity.    Lafitte  and  his  Bar- 
ratarians,  about  this  time  joined  the   American  forces. 
The  city  now  exhibited  an  interesting  spectacle;  all  class- 
es cheerfully  preparing  for  the  reception  of  the  invader, 
and  reposing  the  utmost  confidence  in  Jackson.     All  was 
life  and  bustle,  and  the  female  part  of  the  society  seemed 
emulous  to  share  in  this  affecting  scene. 

All  the  principal  bayous  which  communicate  witli  the 
lake,  and  the  narrow  strip  of  land  on  the  borders  of  the 


M  fi 


'it  ij 


ii 


u 


340 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Mississippi,  throu^gh  the  swamps,  had  been  obstrMcted. 
There  was,  however,  a  communication  with  lake  Borgne, 
but  little  known,  called  the  bajou  Bienvenu,  used  by 
fishermen;  its  head  near  the  plantation  of  general  Villere, 
seven  miles  below  the  city.      Major  Villere  had  received 
orders  from  his  father  to  guard  this  bayou,  and  he  accord- 
ingly R<ati(med  a  guard  near  its  entrance  into  the  lake,  at 
the  f :i\l>i!is  of  some  fisliermen.     It  afterwards  appeared, 
timt  these  wretches  had  been  in  the  employment  of  the 
British..     On  the  twenty-second,  guided  by  them,  the  ene- 
my came  suddenly  upon  the  American  guard,  and  took 
thern  prisoners.      The  division  under  general  Keane,  by 
four  o*cIock  in  the  morning  reached  the  commencement 
of  Villere's  canal,  and  having  disembarked  and  rested 
some  hours,  proceeded  through  the  cane-brake,  and  by  two 
o'clock  reached  the  bank  of  the  river.     General  Villere's 
house  was  suddenly  surrounded,  as  also  that  of  his  neigh- 
bour, colonel  I^a  Ronde;  but  this  officer,  as  well  as  major 
Villere,  was  so  fortunate  as  to  effect  his  escape,  and  hasten- 
ing to  the  head  quarters,  communicated  the  intelligence. 
The  alarm-gun  was  fired,  and  the  commander-in-chief, 
with  that  promptitude  and  decision  for  which  he  is  so  re- 
markable, instantly  resolved  on  the  only  course  to  be  pur- 
sued, which  was,  without  the  loss  of  a  moment's  time,  to 
attack  the  enemy.     Coffee's  riflemen,  stationed  above  the 
city,  in  one  hour's  time  were  at  the  place  of  rendezvous; 
the  battalion  of  major  Plauche  had  arrived  from  the  bayou, 
and  tlie  re";ulars  and  city  volunteers  were  ready  to  march. 
By  six  o'clock  the  difT'erent  corps  were  united  on  Rodri- 
gue's  canal,  six  miles  below  the  city.     The  schooner  Caro- 
line, captain  Henley,  at  the  same  time  dropped  down  the 
river.    The  command  of  general   Coffee,  together  with 
captain  Beale's  riflemen,  were  placed  on  the  left,  towards 
the  wo{>ds;  the  city  volunteers  and  men  of  colour,  under 
Plauche  and  Daquin;  the  whole  under  the  command  of 
colonel  Ross,  were  stationed  to  the  right  of  tliese;  and 
next  to  them,  the  two  regiments  of  regulars,  the  Svjventh 
and  forty-fourtli;  the  artillery  and  marines,  under  colonel 
M'llea,  occupied  the  road.     The  whole  scarcely  exceed- 
ing two  thousand  men.     Tlic  British  force  at  this  time 
amounted  to  three  thousand,  and  instead  of  pushing  di- 


thi 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WaI{. 


at  the  distance  of  half  a  mVr V '  "'"f ''  '■^*'«''  "n  the  ho",! 
neral  assailed  thei   s" on"e  ?  n"' ".  '"^  "''-''•■  "'"'^  tl^e  "c- 

Ped  down  at  the  same  time  and  «  ,?/  '"  ^^a'-ol'-'e,  (Iron. 
t>e  enemy  as  the  signal  rf'a«ack  Tl ""«"  '"'^  «'«  "P"" 
of  the  approach  of  the  AmeVir.!  ^  '"^  *"*''  '"timation 

from  the  ,choo„er;  tlt"'fi  ^^"j. "  'f''^S  broadside 
enabled  the  assailants  to  t,1  p  ,ff ',"'"'.?  f'""'  the  liver 
">en,  with  their  usual  in  pefuolv'^T'"',''  "'"'■  CofToe's 
and  entered  their  cam     wliur^' ,'"''"'''  "P""  the  ri^ht 

ine  enemy,  althoiiwl,  t,i?     ,  "'""T. 
veral  h„n,lreii;  suddeK,,"  ^^  '?''"''^'''  ""'"  '-avins.  se 
ed  and  their  fires  beinTex  nlish  7"""'''''''  '"»«  f"'™- 
A  th.ck  fog,  which  arose  soSlv*^'  """"'  """  »<='!»»• 
confusion  Tn  the  difterent  i.      ^  ''^^'"'-  P'oducin- son  e 
•''^"tly  called  off  h  is  troon;  7f"*"  ?''«.  Jacks^  p  u- 
and  at  four  in  the  Vontl'  t/l ""  *'''  **'''''  "'at  "i^," 
SKle  of  the  canal  «fRo,j"L^  ?•'',>',''*'''''''  »»  the  oC 
mill-race.    The  Ameiic,7f  !'  "^''  ''"f'  '"'"merly  b« T^ 
«"e  hundred  and  fiS  wou^  d  T"'  ?«'"J-'oui-  kf  led 
soners,  among  whon.  wL         '"'•  »"•'  seventv-fou,    ,^; 

"'§  f  tnnated  JacksonVa,rce  ,t  ^fte'  "T  '""'""^-    a  - 

I  lie  general  set  to  work  imm    .•?'!  """'■■*and  men. 
^f  on.     This  was  effected     vT  -"""/^  '"  ''<""''v  h     no- 
tl.e  nver  to  the  swamp,  vWt,  f,,1t^l"'''''^r'"'^^'-'*'^^''''<.  f'  m 
the  construction  of  these  woksc;."     i""'    '''"  ''''^^ 

amioHd  b^  the  Caroline,  tl  ey  set  to  ^  T"'"'>-  ""^ -'d 
ng  batteries  to  attack  h,.,-  ..„  i  ."'"'^  "' constr'i  ■( 

«"evv hot  shot  by .lu'c h':  ;'\ •;;: tt  v -'^-•'-.th" 

29*  "a^sct  on  fire  and  1,1^,,,.,, 


t|;f 


'id 


342 


HISTORY  OF  THia  WAU. 


up,  about  an  hour  after  she  was  abandoned  by  her  crew. 
The  Louisiana,  which  then  took  her  station,  sustained  the 
(ire  of  all  the  batteries  until  in  emminent  danger:  in  lopinj^ 
her,  the  whole  co-operative  naval  force  would  be  lost;  ner 
commander,  lieutenant  Thompson,  after  encountering  ma- 
ny obstacles,  finally  succeeded  in  bringing  her  near  Jack- 
son's position.  After  the  destruction  of  the  Caroline,  sir 
Kdward  Packenham,  the  British  commander-in-chief,  hav- 
ing landed  the  main  body  of  his  army,  with  a  sufficient 
train  of  artillery,  superintended  in  person  the  arrange- 
ments for  fortifying  his  position.  On  the  twenty-eighth, 
the  British  general  advanced  up  the  levee  in  force,  with 
the  intention  of  driving  Jackson  from  his  entrenchments, 
and  at  the  distance  of  lialf  a  mile,  commenced  an  attack 
with  rockets,  bombs,  and  a  heavy  cannonade,  as  he  ap- 
proached the  American  works,  which  were  yet  unfinished. 
The  Louisiana  discharging  her  broadside  upon  the  ene- 
my's column,  caused  great  destruction;  the  fire  from  the 
American  batteries  was  not  less  destructive;  and  after  a 
violent  struggle  of  seven  hours,  the  British  general  retired. 
The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  seven  killed  and  eight 
wounded,  among  the  former  colonel  Henderson,  of  Ten- 
nessee; that  of  tlie  British  much  more  considerable. 

On  the  morning  of  the  first  of  January,  1815,  sir  Ed- 
ward Packenham  was  discovered  to  have  constructed  bat- 
teries near  the  American  works,  and  at  day-light  com- 
menced a  heavy  fire  from  them,  which  was  well  returned 
by  Jackson.  A  bold  attempt  was,  at  the  same  time,  made 
to  turn  the  left  of  the  Americans;  but  in  this  the  enemy 
was  completely  repulsed.  The  British  retired  in  the 
evening,  from  their  batteries,  having  spiked  their  guns, 
and  leaving  behind  a  quantity  of  ammunition.  The  loss 
of  the  Americans  on  this  occasion,  was  eleven  killed  and 
twenty-three  wounded.  On  the  fourth,  general  Jackson 
was  joined  by  two  thousand  five  hundred  Kentuckians, 
under  general  Adair;  and  on  the  sixth,  the  British  were 
joined  by  general  Lambert,  at  the  head  of  four  thousand 
men.  The  British  force  now  amounted  to  little  short  of 
fl:ftoon  thousand  of  the  finest  troops;  that  of  the  Aniericans 
to  about  six  thousand,  chiefly  raw  militia,  a  considerable 
portion  unarmed,  and  from  the  haste  of  their  departure, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


343 


badly  supplied  with  clothing.  All  the  private  arms 
which  the  inhabitants  possessed  were  collected,  and  the 
ladies  of  New-Orleans  occupied  themselves  continually  in 
making  different  articles  of  clothing.  The  mayor  of  the 
city,  Mr.  Girod,  was  particularly  active  at  this  trying 
moment. 

The  British  general  now  prepared  for  a  serious  attempt 
on  the  American  works.  With  great  labour  he  had  com- 
pleted, by  the  seventh,  a  canal  froin  the  swamp  to  the 
Mississippi,  by  which  he  was  enabled  to  transport  a  num- 
ber of  his  boats  to  the  river:  it  was  his  intention  to  make 
a  simultaneous  attack  on  the  main  force  of  general  Jackson 
on  the  left  bank,  and  crossing  the  river  to  attack  the  bat- 
teries on  the  right.  The  works  of  the  American  general 
were  by  this  time  completed;  his  front  was  a  straight  line 
of  one  thousand  yards,  defended  by  upwards  of  three 
thousand  infantry  and  artillerists.  The  ditch  contained 
five  feet  water,  and  his  front  from  having  been  flooded  by 
opening  the  levees  and  frequent  rains,  was  rendered  slip- 
pery and  muddy.  Eigb*diaunct  batteries  were  judiciously 
disposed,  mounting  in  all  twelve  guns  of  different  calibres. 
On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  there  was  a  strong  bat- 
tery of  fifteen  guns,  and  the  entrenchments  were  occupied 
by  general  Morgan,  with  the  Louisiana  militia,  and  a 
strong  detatchment  of  the  Kentucky  troops.  To  guard 
against  an'attack  from  any  other  quarter,  colonel  Reuben 
Kemper,  with  a  few  men,  encountering  infinite  difficulties, 
had  explored  every  pass  and  bayou,  and  on  this  subject  had 
placed  at  ease  the  mind  of  the  commander-in-chief. 

On  the  memorable  morning  of  the  eighth  of  January, 
general  Packenham,  having  detached  colonel  Thornton 
with  a  considerable  force,  to  attack  the  works  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  moved  with  his  whole  force,  exceeding 
twelve  thousand  men,  in  two  divisions,  under  major-gene- 
rals Gibbs  and  Kean;  and  a  reserve  under  general  liam- 
bert.  The  first  of  these  officers  was  to  make  the  princi- 
pal attack;  the  two  columns  were  supplied  with  c  ng- 
ladders,  and  fascines.  Thus  prepared,  the  Americai  la- 
tiently  waited  the  attack,  which  would  decide  the  late 
of  New-Orleans,  and  perhaps  of  Louisiana.  The  British 
deliberately  advanced  in  solid  columns,  over  an  even 


■a;,.,:;^!- 


344 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


plain,  in  front  of  the  American  entrenchment«i,  the  men 
carrying  besides  their  muskets,  fascines,  and  some  of  them 
ladders.  A  dead  silence  prevailed,  until  they  approached 
within  reach  of  the  batteries,  \vhich  commenced  an  in- 
cessant and  destructive  cannonade:  they,  notwithstanding, 
c  *'nued  to  advance  in  tolerable  order,  closing  up  their 
ranks,  as  fast  as  they  vvert  opened  by  the  fire  of  the  Ame- 
ricans. When  they  came  within  ieach,  however,  of  the 
musquetry  and  rifles,  these  joined  with  the  artillery,  and 
produced  such  dreadful  havock,  that  they  were  instantly 
thrown  into  confusion.  Never  was  there  so  tremendous 
a  fire,  as  that  kept  up  from  the  American  lines;  it  was  a 
continued  stream;  those  beliind  loading  for  the  men  in 
front,  enabled  them  to  fire  wih  scarcely  an  intermission. 
The  British  columns  were  literally  swept  away;  hundreds 
fell  at  every  discharge.  The  British  officers  were  now 
making  an  effort  to  rally  their  men,  and  in  this  attempt 
their  commander,  a  gallant  officer,  general  Packenham, 
was  killed.  The  two  generals,  Gibbsand  Kean,  succeed- 
ed in  pus'^ing  forward  their  columns  a  second  time;  but 
the  second  approach  was  more  fatal  than  first;  the  con- 
tinued rolling  fire  of  the  Americans,  resembled  peels  of 
thilnder;  it  was  such  as  no  troops  could  withstand;  the  ad- 
vancing columns  broke,  and  no  effort  to  rally  them  could 
avail:  a  few  platoons  only,  advanced  to  the  edge  of  the 
ditch,  to  meet  a  more  certain  destruction.  An  unavailing 
attempt  was  made  to  bring  them  up  a  third  time  bj'  their 
officers,  whose  gallantry  on  this  occasion,  deserved  a  bet- 
ter fate,  in  a  better  cause.  Generals  Gibbs  and  Kean  were 
carried  away,  severely  wounded;  the  former  mortally. 
The  plain  between  the  front  of  the  British,  and  the  Ame- 
rican lines,  was  strewed  with  dead;  so  dreadful  a  carnage, 
considering  the  length  of  tiuie,  and  the  numbers  engaged, 
was  perhaps  never  witnessed.  Two  thousand,  at  the  low- 
est estimate,  pressed  the  earth,  besides  a  number  of  the 
wounded  who  were  not  able  to  escape.  The  loss  of  the 
Americans  did  not  exceed  seven  killed,  and  six  wounded. 
General  Lambert  was  the  only  general  officer  left  upon 
the  field;  being  unable  to  check  the  flight  of  the  British 
columns,  he  retired  to  his  encampment. 
In  the  meantime,  the  detachment  under  colonel  Thorn- 


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ton  succeetled  in  landinjs;  on  the  right  bank,  and  imme* 
diatcly  attacked  the  entrenchment  of  general  Morgan. 
The  American  right,  believing  itself  outflanked,  abandon- 
ed its  position,  while  the  left  maintained  its  ground  for 
some  time;  but  finding  itself  deserted  by  those  on  the 
right,  and  being  outnumbered  by  the  enemy,  they  spiked 
their  guns  and  retired.  Colonel  Thornton  was  severely 
wounded,  and  the  command  devolved  on  colonel  Gobbins, 
who  seeing  the  fate  of  the  assault  on  the  left  bank,  and  re- 
ceiving orders  from  general  Lambert,  re-crossed  the  river. 

On  the  return  of  general  Lambert  to  his  camp,  it  was 
resolved,  in  consultation  with  admiral  Cochrane,  to  retire 
to  their  shipping.  This  was  etfected  with  great  secrecy; 
and  during^tne  night  of  the  eighteenth,  their  ca^np  was  en- 
tirely evacuated.  From  the  nature  of  the  country,  it  was 
found  impossible  to  pursue  them;  they  left  eight  of  their 
wounded,  and  fourteen  pieces  of  artillery.  Their  loss  in 
this  fatal  expedition  was  immense;  besides  their  generals, 
and  a  number  of  valuable  officers,  their  force  was  dimin- 
ished by  at  least  five  thousand  men.  It  was  in  vain,  as 
in  other  instances,  to  conceal  the  truth  of  this  aftair,  and 
the  sensations  which  it  produced  in  Great  Britain,  are  not 
easily  described;  the  conduct  of  the  ministry  was  regard^ 
ed  as  shamefully  dishotiourable,  in  thus  stretching  forth 
one  hand  to  receive  the  olive,  which  was  tendered  by 
America,  and  at  the  same  time  secretly  wielding  a  dag- 
ger with  the  other. 

Commodore  Patterson  despatched  five  boats,  under  Mk. 
Shields,  purser  on  the  New-Orleans  station,  in  order  to 
annoy  the  retreat  of  the  Britisli.  This  active  and  spirited 
officer  succeeded  in  capturing  seveial  of  their  boats,  and 
in  taking  a  number  of  prisoners.  The  glorious  defence 
of  New-Orleans  produced  the  most  lively  joy  throujrhout 
the  United  States,  mingled,  however,  with  pity,  for  a 
brave  enemy,  who  had  encountered  so  disastrous  a  defeat. 
The  British  fleet  had,  at  the  same  time,  ascer.ded  the  Mis- 
sissippi, for  the  purpose  of  bombarding  fort  St.  Philip, 
which  was  commanded  by  major  Overton;  but  without 
being  able  to  make  any  impression. 

Tlieie  is  but  little  doubt  that  the  object  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, was  to  possess  herself  of  Louisiana,  and  obtaining  a 


346 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR* 


session  from  Spain,  draw  a  cordon  round  the  United 
States,  and  by  that  means  strangle  this  young  Hercules, 
as  it  were  in  the  cradle.  It  is  well  known  that  on  board 
the  fleet,  they  had  brought  all  the  officers  necessary  for  the 
establishment  of  a  civil  government,  even  a  collector  of 
the  port!  An  American  must,  tremble  for  his  country, 
when  he  looks  back  at  the  danger  we  have  escaped.  That 
the  British  intended  to  deliver  the  city  of  New-Orleans 
to  be  sacked  by  their  soldiery,  is  very  doubtful;  and  from 
the  high  character  of  sir  Edward  Packenham,  it  is  highly 
improbable  thhs. :  i  •,i"^uld  have  given,  as  the  watchword  of 
the  occasion,  6(  ty  ard  booty;  this  was  more  probably 
spoken  by  some  jf  the  ;.  feriour  officers,  with  a  view  of 
producing  an  excitement  among  the  soldiery. 

While  these  bloody  affairs  transpired  on  the  Mississip- 
pi, admiral  Cockburn  was  pursuing  a  more  lucrative,  but 
less  dangerous  warfare,  in  tlie  Carolinas  and  Georgia.  He 
took  possession  of  Cumberland  island,  and  menacing 
Charleston  and  Savannah,  he  sent  out  various  detach- 
ments, several  of  which  were  bravely  repulsed;  but  his 
rhief  occupation  was  plundering  the  inhabitants  of  their 
staples,  and  household  furniture.  The  letters  of  some  of 
his  officers,  which  were  intercepted,  display  a  species  of 
vulgar  cupidity,  very  mortifying  to  the  better  class  of  their 
countrymen,  who  could  not  but  feel  ashamed  of  their  con- 
duct. The  most  usual  topicks  of  these  letters,  were  the 
amount  and  species  of  plunder  which  they  procured;  desks, 
looking  glasses,  bureaus,  and  cotton  bales,  exultingly  enu- 
merated, as  if  they  had  been  the  ultimate  glory  and  end 
of  war. 

The  momentous  intelligence  of  the  defeat  of  the  Bri- 
tish at  New-Orleans,  had  scarcely  ceased  to  operate  upon 
the  feelings  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  when  they 
received  the  welcome  news  of  peace.  These  two  events 
were  joyfully  celebrated,  by  illuminations  throughout  this 
land  of  freedom  and  independence. 

Thus  terminated  a  glorious  and  eventful  war  of  three 
years.  It  is  related  of  the  wise  Franklin,  that  heaiing 
some  one  speak  of  our  first  war  with  Britain,  as  the  ivar 
of  independence^  he  reproved  him:  "Sir,"  says  he,  "you 
mean  of  the  revolution;  the  war  of  independence  is  yet  to 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


347 


he   Unitetl 
w  Hercules, 
at  on  board 
sary  for  the 
collector  of 
lis  country, 
:apecl.  That 
[ew-Orleans 
il;  and  from 
,  it  is  highly 
atchword  of 
re  probably 
th  a  view  of 

le  Mississip- 
acrative,  but 
Georgia.  Uc 
d   menacing 
ious  detach- 
sed;  but  his 
ints  of  their 
s  of  some  of 
a  species  of 
lass  of  their 
of  their  con- 
rs,  were  the 
ured;  desks, 
Itingly  enu- 
ory  and  end 

of  the  Bri- 

Iperate  upon 

),  when  they 

two  events 

i)ughout  this 

^ar  of  three 

|hat  hearing 

as  the  ivar 

^s  he,  "you 

[ce  is  yet  to 


come."     It  is  now  over;  we  have  burst  our  bands  at  last, 
and  every  hope  on  the  part  of  Britain  to  brina;  us  back  to 
the  state  of  colonies,  nas  fled  for  ever.      She  has  bean 
taught  a  lesson  which  she  cannot  forget,  that  it  is  much 
cheaper  to  do  justice,  than  to  practise  her  unwarranted 
oppressions.     If  she  ilrovj|  us  into  a  war,  by  the  capture 
during  peace  of  a  thousand  of  our  merchantmen,  and  the 
enslaving  seven  thousand  of  our  fellow  citizens,  she  has 
found  that  during  war,  two  thousand  of  her  own  ships  have 
been  lost,  her  publick  vessels  compelled  to  strike  to  those 
of  the  Americans,  and  her  national  debt  increased  by 
many  millions.    She  has  learned  the  painful  tr    h,  that 
slie  has  a  superiour  on  the  ocean.     She  lias  bee.    t    ght 
that  her  threats  of  burning  our  towns,  and  chas^isin^  our 
presumption,  would  only  bring  destruction  upon  !ier  own 
head;  she  has  seen  the marketior her  manufacturer  greatly 
diminished  in  America — All  this  might  have  been  saved 
by  a  timely  repeal  of  her  orders  in  council,     ■  acceding 
to  the  friendly  arrangement,  so  often  proposed  on  our  part, 
to  provide  against  the  abuse  of  the  practice  of  impress- 
ment, by  which  the  lieutenant  or  boatswain  of  a  man  of 
war,  could  decide,  without  evidence,  and  in  a  moment, 
upon  the  life  and  liberty  of  an  American  citizen.    We 
have  at  last  compelled  this  implacable  enemy  of  our  poli- 
tical institutions,  to  treat  us  with  respect;  and  an  Ameri- 
can may  own  his  country  with  pride,  in  whatever  portion 
of  the  globe  his  fortune  may  lead  him.    It  is  hoped  that 
Britain  will  at  last,  treat  us  as  she  does  other  nations,  if 
not  with  the  civility,  at  least  without  superciliousness  and 
scorn. 

Although  a  task  by  no  means  easy,  let  us  forgive  the 
ungenerous  temper  with  which  the  last  war  has  been  con- 
ducted towards  us,  but  let  us  not  forget  it;  let  us  keep  it 
in  view,  until  Britain,  by  her  frienilly  deportment,  mani- 
fests a  wish  to  atone;  let  us  not  hastily  charge  those  enor- 
mities upon  the  British  nation;  but  rather  consider  them 
the  disgraceful  acts  of  a  few  ruffian  individuals,  or  at  most 
attribute  them  to  the  mistaken  policy  of  a  corrupt  minis- 
try; let  us,  believe  that  every  virtuous  Englishman  con- 
demns them.  It  is  in  vain  for  Britain  to  tell  us  tliat  she 
is  lighting  the  battles  of  the  worlds  while  we  see  her  the 


d48 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


tyrant  of  the  seas;  it  is  in  vain  to  tell  us  that  she  is  the 
bulwark  of  our  relii^ion,  while  she  stirs  up  the  fury  of  the 
savaj^es,  to  destroy  the  helpless  and  the  innocent.  We 
have  no  wish  to  be  otherwise  than  on  terms  of  friendship 
with  England,  while  she  refrains  from  insulting  our  na- 
tional independence.  We  have  a  common  origin,  a  com- 
mon language,  institutions  nearly  simdar,  freed  from  gross 
corruptions  and  abuse,  and  to  use  the  elegant  language  of 
Milton,  we  draw  light  from  the  same  fountain. 

To  us  the  war  is  pregnant  with  important  lessons.  We 
have  acquired  a  knowledge  of  our  weakness  and  of  our 
strength.  Our  confederation  will  rise  like  a  pyramid,  its 
base  eternal.  Our  best  policy  is  peace,  if  honourable,  but 
war  sooner  than  the  sligntest  in^lt.  Fair  and  honoura- 
ble policy  to  all  nations,  preferring  justice  to  profit.  One 
lesson  we  have  been  taught,  which  was  worth  the  sum  we 
have  paid  for  the  war,  that  we  are  weak  in  the  pur- 
suit OF  CONqUEST,  BUT  ALL  POWERFUL  IN  DEFENCE. 


THE  END. 


,t  she  is  the 
I  I'ury  of  the 
)cent.  We 
f  friendship 
ing  our  na- 
igin,  a  corn- 
el from  gross 
language  of 

• 

essons.  We 
and  of  our 
pyramid,  its 
ourable,  but 
id  honoura- 
profit.  One 
the  sum  we 

IN  THE  PUR- 
FENCE. 


# 


